DHAKA, Feb 23: Opening batsman Junaid Siddiqui and fast bowler Shahadat Hossain combined to help Bangladesh take a 147-run lead on the second day of the first Test against South Africa on Saturday.

Junaid was unbeaten on 64 at the close as the home team reached 125 for four in their second innings after skittling out South Africa for 170 thanks to a career-best haul of six for 27 by Shahadat.

Bangladesh were struggling at tea on 48 for three but added 77 runs in the final session for the loss of skipper Mohammad Ashraful, who was caught behind for 24 by Mark Boucher off the bowling of paceman Makhaya Ntini.

Junaid hit five fours in his 158-ball knock and among the crowd in the post-tea session was the head of Bangladesh’s interim government Fakhruddin Ahmed.

Paceman Dale Steyn had made a dynamic start for South Africa, taking three quick wickets as the hosts slumped to 29 for three.

Steyn also picked up three wickets in Bangladesh’s first innings 192.

South Africa’s batsmen resumed on 76 for four on Saturday morning and had Ashwell Prince run out for 10 in the second over thanks to Saqibul Hasan’s smart throw to wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim.

A.B. de Villiers constructed a 68-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Johan Botha before de Villiers was caught and bowled by Ashraful for 46.

Botha was then trapped lbw for 25 by Shahadat, who also removed Morne Morkel for one.

Shahadat followed up by dismissing Mark Boucher for 11 and Steyn for seven.

“The bowlers did well to get us back in the match,” Bangladesh’s Australian coach Jamie Siddons told reporters.

“One hundred and ninety two was not a big score but if the boys can now make 250 or 300 it will be a big challenge for South Africa.”

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH (1st Innings) 192 (Aftab Ahmed 44; M. Morkel 5-50).

SOUTH AFRICA (1st Innings, overnight

76-4):

N.D. McKenzie lbw b Shahadat 5

G.C. Smith b Shahadat 10

H.M. Amla lbw b Rafique 25

J.H. Kallis b Rafique 17

A.G. Prince run out 10

J. Botha lbw b Shahadat 25

A.B. de Villiers c and b Ashraful 46

M.V. Boucher lbw b Shahadat 11

M. Morkel c Mushfiqur b Shahadat 1

D.W. Steyn b Shahadat 7

M. Ntini not out 3

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-5, W-1, NB-3) 10

TOTAL (all out, 60.3 overs) 170

FALL OF WKTS: 1-12, 2-19, 3-54, 4-69, 5-77, 6-145, 7-156, 8-158, 9-163.

BOWLING: Mashrafe Mortaza 9-1-43-0 (1w); Shahadat Hossain 15.3-8-27-6 (2nb); Mohammad Rafique 25-6-55-2 (1nb); Saqibul Hasan 10-6-30-0; Mohammad Ashraful 1-0-9-1.

BANGLADESH (2nd Innings):

Junaid Siddique not out 64

Tamim Iqbal b Steyn 2

Shahriar Nafees lbw b Steyn 16

Habibul Bashar lbw b Steyn 2

Mohammad Ashraful c Boucher b Ntini 24

Aftab Ahmed not out 13

EXTRAS (LB-1, W-1, NB-2) 4

TOTAL (for four wkts, 48 overs) 125

FALL OF WKTS: 1-3, 2-25, 3-29, 4-85.

BOWLING (to-date): Steyn 12-1-38-3 (1w); Ntini 11-3-21-1; Morkel 11-2-33-0 (1nb); Kallis 6-1-10-0; Botha 6-0-18-0 (1nb); McKenzie 2-0-4-0.—Reuters