Stumps South Africa 367 and 6 for 0 lead Bangladesh 298 (Mahmudul 137, Litton 41, Harmer 4-103, Williams 3-54) by 75 runs
Mahmudul Hasan Joy became the first Bangladesh batter to score a Test hundred against South Africa, registering his maiden century in just his third Test, as the visitors extended their fight against a weakened home attack. Mahmudul had good support from the lower middle order and shared in a 33-run stand with Yasir Ali and a 51-run stand with Mehidy Hasan Miraz after putting on 82 for the fifth wicket with Litton Das, Bangladesh's best partnership of the innings. He was eventually the last man out for 137, as Bangladesh limited South Africa's first-innings lead to 69.
Bangladesh were bowled out inside the first hour of the evening session, leaving South Africa a potentially tricky period to bat out, but fading light and rain brought the day to a premature close just four overs into their second innings. Their openers survived it unscathed, even as Bangladesh burned a review when they felt Dean Elgar had edged an attempted drive off Najmul Hossain Shanto's offspin. It turned out in the end that he had missed the ball but his bat had hit the ground.
On a pitch that remained good for batting, albeit slow, South Africa's attack lacked bite in the absence of an out-and-out strike bowler. While Lizaad Williams bowled at a good pace - a shade under 140kph - Duanne Olivier remained innocuous, and Wiaan Mulder was not called on until the third session, after 107 overs of the Bangladesh innings. Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj did the bulk of the bowling and sent down 77 overs between them but Maharaj went wicketless and Harmer was unable to add to his four from the second day.
Williams was the only bowler to enjoy success in the first two sessions of the day, removing nightwatchman Taskin Ahmed in the third over of the day and Litton two balls after lunch. Litton was well-set at the time, after surviving two chances in the morning session which could have seen him dismissed on 16 - when Williams found his outside edge, but Dean Elgar put down a regulation catch at first slip - or 29. He was given out caught behind off Harmer and reviewed immediately. Ultra Edge showed a flat line.
Despite those chances, Litton was attacking against the Olivier short ball and showed good intent against the spinners, who may have been guilty of trying too hard. Harmer, in search of a five-for on Test comeback, bowled quicker and fuller than he had on the second day and Maharaj was unlucky despite being economical.
Harmer was denied a second time when Mahmudul, on 64, was dropped at short leg by Sarel Erwee and a third when Litton appeared to inside-edge him to short-leg on the stroke of lunch and South Africa reviewed unsuccessfully. All told, they missed four opportunities in the morning session.
Their fielding was sharper as the day went on and did not let the easiest chance go begging when Yasir was late to respond to a call. Mahmudul was on 90 when he clipped Olivier through midwicket and ran one before rejecting a second run, but Yasir did not hear him in time. He ended up almost at the non-striker's end when Ryan Rickleton's throw reached Kyle Verreynne, who ran him out.
Mehidy partnered Mahmudul to his milestone, which came with a two off Maharaj, and celebrated with an air punch and a leap as the Bangladesh change room rose to their feet in celebration.
Mulder was given the ball after tea and took less than three overs to make an impact. He had Mehidy caught at slip to leave Mahmudul with the tail. He changed gears almost immediately and after scoring 110 off 309 balls added his next 27 runs in 17 balls including a slog-sweep off Harmer which went for six and four boundaries off Mulder's fourth over. Williams removed him when he backed away to cut and edged to Harmer at slip.
