Proteas in driving seat

Bangladesh were left undone by South Africa's off-spinner Simon Harmer, who picked up all four wickets in the Tigers' first innings, as South Africa gained the upper-hand following Bangladesh's strong comeback with the ball earlier on Day 2 in Durban yesterday.

Harmer, who last played for South Africa more than six years ago and was only included due to a few South Africa stars being unavailable for Indian Premier League engagement, troubled the Bangladesh batters on a pitch that was seeing a great deal of turn available for spinners.

Bangladesh will find hope from how Mahmudul Hasan Joy applied himself to take Bangladesh through to close of play during an unbeaten 44 off 141 deliveries. Batting for 49 overs, Bangladesh reached 98 for four at day's close, trailing by 269 runs. A delivery from Harmer, that kept low, castled opener Shadman Islam after a solid start alongside Joy.

 Najmul Hossain strung together a 55-run stand with Joy before Harmer got the better of him after a 87-ball 38. Harmer would go onto account for both skipper Mominul Haque, gone for a duck, and Mushfiqur Rahim, out for nine to a soft dismissal.

Earlier, Tigers' pacer Khaled Ahmed, in for the injured Shoriful Islam, became the first Bangladesh pacer to bag four wickets in a Test match against South Africa in their soil.

The Proteas started positively from their overnight score of 233 for four but Khaled, handed the second new ball, scalped two wickets in back-to-back deliveries in his second over of the day. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 367 after Skipper Temba Bavuma scored 93, which was followed by Harmer's gritty 38.