DHAKA, 3 May 2003 — Mohammad Rafique came up with Bangladesh’s best-ever bowling figures but Mother Nature looked like being the home side’s best bet of saving the second Test against South Africa here yesterday. The 32-year-old left-arm spinner finished with 6-77 to raise the spirits of Bangladesh on a gloomy day, for once, not because of a dismal performance by the home side.
Overcast conditions and sharp showers early on disrupted play on the second day at the Bangabandhu National Stadium but Rafique made the most of his opportunities in the one session salvaged. South Africa, overnight 264-6, folded for 330 after rain had washed out the morning session. Rain again came pouring down as Bangladesh had just started their reply and were four without loss in three overs.
Javed Omar (3) and Mehrab Hossain (0) were the not out batsmen. Rafique earlier dismissed Allan Dawson, caught behind, and then bowled tail-ender Paul Adams to ensure the South African innings was not prolonged much longer even though debutant Robin Peterson struck a brisk 61 with eight fours.
“I was not aiming for anything going into the match but after my four wickets yesterday, a five-for was definitely on my mind this morning,” said Rafique, playing in only his third Test. It was only the third time a Bangladesh bowler had taken five or more wickets in a Test innings, the others being off-spinner Naimur Rahman and left-arm paceman Manjural Islam.
Rahman took 6-132 against India in Bangladesh’s first Test here in November 2000, while Islam finished with 6-81 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in April 2001, the previous best by a Bangladesh bowler.
Rafique was well supported by leg-spinner Mohammad Ashraful and seamer Mashrafi bin Mortaza, who took the other two South African wickets to fall after the first session was washed out. All-rounder Pollock (41) fell at the overnight score, going for a pull shot to Murtaza and it was left to Peterson to ensure South Africa crossed the 300-run mark.
Dravid Signs Up
for Scotland
Indian batsman Rahul Dravid has signed up to play for Scotland in the English national cricket league this season. “I am looking to this opportunity,” the 30-year-old said in a statement released through his agent. “Playing for Scotland will help me stay in touch with the game through the off-season, without too much cricket.”
Dravid is to play in 11 one-day games spread over three months, starting with the June 1 match against Hampshire.
