1st Test, Day 4: Keshav Maharaj twin strikes hurt Bangladesh in 274-run chase against South Africa

Bangladesh slipped to 11 for three in pursuit of 274-run target at the close of play on day four of the first Test at Kingsmead on Sunday.

South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj struck twice in the final moments on Day 4 to reduce Bangladesh to 11 for 3 in pursuit of a victory target of 274 against the hosts in the first Test at Kingsmead on Sunday.

Bangladesh had bowled the home side out for 204 in their second innings and they lost Mahmudul (4), fellow opener Shadman Islam (0) and captain Mominul Haque (2) in the tricky final 20 minutes. Offspinner Harmer had Shadman caught at slip in the second over of the innings and left-arm spinner Maharaj sent Mahmudul and Mominul packing in the fifth over.

Bangladesh took nine wickets for 88 runs in the last two sessions of the fourth day to bowl South Africa out for 204 in its second innings when it looked like the home team was about to build an unassailable lead. But just as South Africa lost quick wickets to change the complexion of the match and raise Bangladesh's hopes of a first Test win over the Proteas, so the Bangladesh batsmen slumped at the start of their chase to see it seesaw back in the home team's favor.

Stumps in DurbanAn excellent six over spell from South Africa takes them to a dominant position at the close of day four.#WTC23 | #SAvBAN | https://t.co/cUjJUjqkxC pic.twitter.com/7QQ8xpqKup

Seamer Ebadot Hossain (3/40) was the pick of their attack, while off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3/85) also got in on the act. Home captain Dean Elgar (64) managed a second half-century in the match, but the next highest score was 39 not out from debutant Ryan Rickelton.

South Africa are without several regular players. Seamers Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen plus top-order batsmen Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen all opted to play in the Indian Premier League over this two-match series.