Hridoy, Das lead Bangladesh fightback after Rabada five-for
Towhid Hridoy's century and Litton Das' unbeaten 92 helped Bangladesh recover to 327/6 after Kagiso Rabada's five-wicket haul.
Towhid Hridoy and Litton Das led a spirited Bangladesh fightback on the opening day of the first ICC World Test Championship series against South Africa in Johannesburg, overcoming an early Kagiso Rabada onslaught to put the visitors in a promising position at stumps.
After Bangladesh opted to bat, Rabada wasted little time making an impact, striking with the very first delivery of the Test series to dismiss Mahfijul Islam.
The South African pacer continued his early onslaught, sending Mominul Haque back to the pavilion in his next over before bowling Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto with a beauty to claim his third wicket of the innings.
Bangladesh found some much-needed stability through Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy, who stitched together a 99-run partnership to revive the innings.
However, Rabada returned to break the stand, dismissing Hasan, who had looked well set on 67.
The Proteas quick struck again off the very next delivery, removing Mushfiqur Rahim to complete his 18th five-wicket haul in Test cricket and leave Bangladesh reeling at 121/5.
With half the side back in the pavilion, Litton Das joined Hridoy in the middle, and the pair produced a remarkable fightback to turn the innings around.
Hridoy continued his impressive run of form, bringing up his second Test century in as many matches after his memorable double century against the West Indies earlier this month.
The right-hander eventually fell for a magnificent 137, with Marco Jansen producing a superb delivery to trap him leg-before and end a mammoth 206-run partnership.
Das, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 92, guiding Bangladesh to 327/6 at stumps after a resilient batting display that helped the visitors recover from a precarious position.
