Follow UsBangladesh were in a spot of bother at 112/6, after Litton Das headed back to the pavillion for seven. That's when debutant Jaker Ali joined Mehidy Hasan in the middle. They absorbed the pressure and put on 138 for the seventh wicket off 245 deliveries to pull their side back into the contest. Mehidy is still unbeaten on 87, edging closer to his second Test ton, while Jaker made 58.
As a result of that stand, Bangladesh have an 81-run lead, but South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj believes South Africa are ahead in the game.
"Yeah, obviously Bangladesh has done really well today. Conditions got a little bit better, if I'm honest, with a slightly used ball. But I think we're still ahead. Obviously, Bangladesh have a lead, and we've got three wickets more to go," Maharaj said at the end of Day Three of the first Test in Dhaka.
"So obviously if we can restrict them as much as possible, but I still feel we'll be in the box seat, considering the good work that we did with the batsmen in our first innings.
"I think yesterday was probably the day that we went a little bit searching if I'm honest. And then we got the three wickets, and I think Mehidy and Jaker Ali played really well. We threw everything at them, and I don't think it was a case of us taking our foot off the gas. I think they played really well, and you must give credit towards the batters in that situation.
"I think when I first saw the wicket, it seemed very much like our Durban wicket that we play on at Kingsmead. It was quite hard. Obviously, there'll be variations of turn as the game goes on, but I think with a little bit of moisture in the air and the constant rolling, it has got a little bit better, especially once that shine comes off the ball.
"Look, ideally we'd like to restrict Bangladesh to 100 or below, but it's important that we start well in the morning and then assess from there."
The weather does not look promising for the rest of the Test match, either. But Bangladesh bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed hopes his side can recover and win the game, just like they did in the series against Pakistan, where they were reduced to 26/6.
"Why not? I just spoke about 26/6 [against Pakistan in the second Test match]. When you win a Test match from there, that gives the belief. It comes from us, first of all, the coaching staff. Then obviously the players start believing that," he said.
"I think you got to believe from any situation. When everyone started believing we can win the game, or we can come back from any situation, so it's always a great environment especially when you have a fightback like that."
Mushtaq has also urged the fans to give newly appointed head coach Phil Simmons a couple of series to settle in. "Phil is a very relaxed guy. I think he believes in the environment. He is a good man. I started working with him for the first time. I think he is a good man," Mushtaq said.
"When you take over and start making decisions for any team, you know it is going to take some time. I think maybe a couple of series is going to take him to understand the culture and mindset. The senior guys are playing a huge role. The other coaching staff are giving most of the support. The local guys are also giving him support."
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