Weather frustrates Proteas

Makhaya Ntini had Tamim Iqbal caught behind during figures of 1-15 in 10 overs

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South Africa’s push for victory in the opening Test against Bangladesh was delayed by rain today with the final two sessions washed out.

When play was called off at 3.15pm local time in Bloemfontein, the Proteas had the win well within their sights with the tourists struggling at 67 for three in their second innings - still needing 221 runs just to make the hosts bat again.

With two days still to play South Africa have plenty of time to capture the final seven wickets and go 1-0 up in the two-Test series.

The Tigers began the day following on and resuming on 20 for one, but lost Tamim Iqbal and Junaid Siddique in the 91 minutes’ action before rain forced the players to take an early lunch.

The dismissal of opener Imrul Kayes last night, bowled off an inside edge by Dale Steyn for four, brought Tamim and Junaid together in the middle and with much resting on their shoulders if Bangladesh were to forge an unlikely escape.

Tamim was first to go this morning, caught behind by Mark Boucher off the bowling of Makhaya Ntini for 20 to leave the visitors 45 for two.

That became 67 for three in the 24th over when Jacques Kallis induced an outside edge from Junaid and he too was snapped up by wicketkeeper Boucher for 27.

Three balls later, a shower brought a premature end to the session with captain Mohammad Ashraful on seven and Mehrab Hossain Jnr yet to score.

The hosts yesterday declared on 441 for nine and then skittled their opponents for just 153.