South Africa Hopes Rare Test Victory in Asia Signals a Shift in Fortunes
South Africa's aggressive approach in chasing their modest target of 106, which they secured within 29 balls, pushed them up to fourth in the World Test Championship standings, maintaining their chances for a place in the final at Lord’s in June. For South Africa, whose subcontinent record plummeted after a 3-0 defeat in India in 2015, this win brings renewed hope.
South Africa celebrated a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in Mirpur, ending a lengthy drought of Test victories in Asia. For several South African players, this match marked their first Test appearance in the subcontinent, and a promising start to their efforts in conditions where they have historically struggled. Debutant Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne contributed to the win, while seasoned players like Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj, who had previously faced numerous losses in Asia, found redemption in this performance.
The win was powered by Kyle Verreynne's 114 in the first innings and Kagiso Rabada’s dominant bowling figures of 3/26 and 6/46, which also saw him join the elite 300-wicket club. Rabada reached this milestone in just 65 Tests, equaling Pakistan’s Waqar Younis for speed of accomplishment but with far fewer deliveries—highlighting his status as one of South Africa’s most impactful pacers. Captain Aiden Markram, stepping in for the injured Temba Bavuma, praised Rabada’s achievement and expressed confidence in Verreynne's potential to thrive in the subcontinent.
Historically, South Africa once held the highest winning percentage in Asia among non-Asian teams, outperforming other major cricketing nations in the subcontinent from their inaugural tour of Sri Lanka in 1993 up until 2015. However, since their 2015 series loss in India, they’ve had a lower winning percentage (8.33%) and a significantly higher losing percentage (83.33%) than their non-Asian peers.
Thursday’s victory also added to South Africa’s record of 47 centuries and 30 five-wicket hauls achieved in Asia, though only a handful of current players, including Markram, Verreynne, Rabada, and Maharaj, have joined this esteemed group. Whether this win can reignite South Africa’s former success in Asia remains uncertain, but another triumph in Chattogram could begin to reshape the narrative surrounding their ability to excel in challenging conditions.
