Kyle Verreynne. (Source: X/Twitter)
South Africa was 108/6 against Bangladesh in the Dhaka Test when Kyle Verreynne stepped up and took care of the business alongside Wiaan Mulder. After bundling the hosts for 106 in the first innings, South Africa also felt the heat with the bat as Bangladesh’s spinners dominated in the initial overs. The visitors needed something special to escape the difficult situation they were in and that’s what Verreynne produced.
The keeper-batter made 114 runs while Mulder scored 54 runs as the Proteas posted 308 runs in the first innings, taking a significant lead of 202 runs in the first innings. Verreynne’s century put them in a great spot from where South Africa would be hoping to pick up crucial WTC points, especially after how well their bowlers performed in the first innings.
Take a bow, Verreynne! 💯
Kyle Verreynne joins an exclusive club, becoming only the 3rd designated South African wicketkeeper to score a Test century in Asia! 👏#BANvSAonFanCode pic.twitter.com/9wYQ2a6Qro
— FanCode (@FanCode) October 22, 2024
Meanwhile, Verreynne became the third South Africa keeper after AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock to score a Test century in Asia. Credit also goes to Mulder as well, who supported the 27-year-old and built a 119-run partnership with him that put the visitors in a favorable spot.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be heavily disappointed with their performance. After beating Pakistan 0-2 in the series, the players were confident of putting up a show against India but that didn’t happen as suffered a whitewash. Playing at home, the Najmul Shanto-led side was expected to get better but in reality, they have been on the back foot throughout the game.
In the first innings, their batters disappointed heavily and the trend looks to continue in the third as well. Ace pacer Kagiso Rabada picked up two early wickets that put Bangladesh under further pressure. The hosts need their captain to step up now alongside the senior batters, or else the match will soon slip out of their hands.