Half-centuries by Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder helped South Africa take a sizeable lead in the first Test against Bangladesh. The duo added 119 runs for the seventh wicket to help the visitors reach 243 for 8 at Lunch on Day 2 at the Shere Bangla Stadium in Dhaka, on Tuesday.

After having bundled out Bangladesh for 102 on the opening day, South Africa were reduced to 108 for 6 before Verryenne and Mulder had steadied the innings briefly on Monday evening. However, they continued to remain steady for an hour and a half on the second morning and helped the visitors firmly establish control of the contest.

After a couple of quiet overs to begin the day, Verreynne stroked a couple of boundaries off Hasan Mahmud to get going. The duo didn’t take too many risks, but were quick to pick on run-scoring opportunities. Verreynne did premeditate some sweeps against the spinners, and used the shot to good effect.

Mulder, on the other hand, opted for a more straight-bat approach, and brought up the century of the stand with a crisp drive through cover off Taijul Islam. In the next over, however, he was put down on 47 by Mominul Haque at short leg, where he made a lazy effort to hold on to an inside edge. He couldn’t make Bangladesh pay too heavily for the dropped chance, departing eight runs later, but went on to register his maiden Test fifty.

Hasan Mahmud struck twice in two balls, having Mulder caught at wide slip and cleaning up Keshav Maharaj, but it was a session where South Africa took the momentum away from Bangladesh. Verryenne remained unbeaten and stretched his innings to 77 at Lunch break.

Brief Scores: Bangladesh 106 (Mahmudul Hasan 30; Wiaan Mulder 3-22, Kagiso Rabada 3-26, Keshav Maharaj 3-34) trail South Africa 243/8 (Kyle Verreynne 77*, Wiaan Mulder 54; Taijul Islam 5-93) by 137 runs .