On the second day’s final stretch, South Africa declared their innings. Bangladesh managed to bat for just over 40 minutes, losing 4 wickets in only 9 overs. After nearly two days in the field, they struggled to capitalize with the bat. On a pitch where they had scored 575 runs with 6 wickets lost, Bangladesh collapsed for just 38 runs with 4 wickets down.
Were South Africa surprised by this batting performance? Tony de Georghi, representing the team, stated that they took advantage of the fatigue among the Bangladeshi players. He said, “When you have Rabada in your lineup, anything can happen. We were very fortunate to have him. Petersen showed some discipline and took wickets. It was about capitalizing on the fatigue of the Bangladeshi players.”
He added, “If I were in that situation as an opener, it wouldn’t have been easy to go in and bat. A tired body and mind can lead to anything. We were just in the right place at the right time and made good decisions.”
Three South African batsmen scored centuries in the innings, with opener Georghi scoring 177 runs off 269 balls after batting for nearly a day and a half. How did he manage to bat for so long in the heat of Chattogram? He responded, “I’d say it’s mostly a mental thing. Once you’re out there, it’s about making decisions and maintaining focus. Staying committed to the game plan is key. You have to see what works on this pitch. There’s no need to do anything extravagant, as that isn’t necessary in this format. So, it’s 100% mental and physical.”
