‘We couldn’t handle the pressure’

"We still want to play in conditions where you play three seamers, an all-rounder and a spinner. Fast bowling is our prime source of attack."

— Dean Elgar, South Africa captain

• Bangladesh's 53 in the second innings against South Africa in the first Test is the Tigers' second-lowest total in Tests and also the lowest by any team in Durban.
• Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer's 10 wickets in the second innings is only the third instance of South Africa's spinners taking all the wickets in an innings.
• It is the first time in 72 years that South Africa scalped all 10 wickets in an innings in Tests with spinners. 
• It was the first time in over 100 years that a seamer didn't bowl a single delivery in a completed innings for South Africa.
• Bangladesh's second innings lasted for 114 deliveries. There have only been five instances of a complete innings lasting fewer deliveries in the last 50 years.

Bangladesh's innings ended in cataclysmic fashion, bundled out in 13 overs of the fifth and final day in Durban for their second-lowest Test score of 53. Most importantly, all of Bangladesh's second innings wickets fell to spin with Keshav Maharaj bagging seven and Simon Harmer scalping three. The 53 Bangladesh managed was also the lowest score by any team at the Kingsmead and only the third time that South Africa have managed to get all 10 wickets in an innings through spin.

However, the last four days of the match had seen the Tigers go toe-to-toe with the Proteas in trying to wrest back control of the match. The visitors were effective, to a certain extent, as they bundled South Africa out for 204 in their second innings but losing three wickets in a six-over spell on day four had proved to be the fatal error as Bangladesh's fourth innings reminded of their past debacles.

Having played spinners in surfaces that are more conducive to spin, it was surprising that Mominul Haque and his troops were not up to the mark with the bat, having fought so well over four days.

"We couldn't handle the pressure of losing three wickets yesterday very well. I don't see any other reason," Mominul said at a press conference yesterday after Bangladesh's 220-run loss.

"I think it's a crime to give wickets to spinners on foreign soil. You should not give wickets to spinners while playing overseas. And that's why I think I am the one most accountable for such a plight. Obviously, it is a batting failure," the skipper added.

That Bangladesh gave South Africa a fight for four days and had a real opportunity in the game, chasing 274 in the fourth innings, could also be seen from the way South Africa tried to provoke the Tigers, often in verbal terms. Mominul felt that the on-field behaviour from the Proteas often went overboard. South Africa however managed to rile up the Tigers, who had been frustrated with a few umpiring calls on day four.

"It is normal that there will be sledging on the field. But if sledging crosses the line, then it's a problem," Mominul opined on the matter.

Despite the controversial issues, Bangladesh can take heart from their performances in the first Test. Mahmudul Hasan Joy's 137 -- becoming the first Bangladesh batter to score a Test ton against South Africa – showed how to handle pressure situations and Khaled Ahmed's four-fer in the first innings made pacers' contribution more pronounced.

Mominul felt his team will be able to bounce back from this match but it remains to be seen whether experienced heads such as his and Mushfiqur Rahim's, who batted during those crucial stages when Bangladesh were dwindling to spin, can take up the challenge and put up better contributions in the next Test at Port Elizabeth on April 8.