Mumbai, October 29: Opener Tony de Zorzi closed in on a half-century as South Africa made a solid start by reaching 109-1 at lunch on Day 1 of the final cricket Test against Bangladesh here on Tuesday. Zorzi was batting on 49 after hitting four fours and one six with Tristan Stubbs on 23. Zorzi and captain Aiden Markram set the tone by putting on 69 runs after South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. Both batted fluently to score at a run rate of nearly four until left-arm spinner Taijul intervened. BAN vs SA 2024: Najmul Hossain Shanto Likely To Step Down As Bangladesh National Cricket Team Captain After South Africa Test Series.

Taijul broke through with the wicket of Markram, who chipped a tossed-up delivery straight to mid-on after scoring 33 off 52 with two fours. Taijul, who took eight wickets in the first Test that Bangladesh lost by seven wickets, was largely ineffective as Zorzi attacked him as a strategy to put pressure on the hosts' bowling lineup.

Stubbs was also similarly comfortable in his stay in the crease and helped South Africa see off the session without any further trouble. Earlier, South Africa made two changes, with all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy and pacer Dane Paterson replacing Dane Piedt and Matthew Breetzke. South Africa Defeat Bangladesh by Seven Wickets in BAN vs SA 1st Test 2024; Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Verreynne Shine As Proteas Gain 1–0 Lead in Two-Match Series.

Bangladesh handed Mahidul Islam a debut and made three changes overall.

Mahidul replaced Jaker Ali, who was ruled out after sustaining a concussion during a practice session. Wicketkeeper Liton Das and off-spinner Nayeem Hasan were dropped to make way for batter Zakir Hasan and pace bowler Nahid Rana.

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