Shibli’s Tonne Leads Bangladesh Emerging on Rainy Opening Day

(The Post News)– South Africa Emerging Men held their own on a rain-affected opening day of the first four-day match against Bangladesh Emerging, with the hosts reaching 213 for four at stumps thanks to a standout hundred from young opener Ashiqur Rahman Shibli.

Playing at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, only 70 overs were possible due to persistent rain, but the visitors made key breakthroughs to remain in the contest.

Shibli was the star of the day, scoring a fluent 104 off 143 deliveries, peppered with 16 boundaries and a six. The 19-year-old laid a solid foundation with fellow opener Chowdhury Md Rizwan, the pair putting on 69 runs before Tshepo Ntuli struck by trapping Rizwan lbw for 12.

Despite the interruption, the home side, fresh from a 2-1 win in the one-day series, continued to build, with Aich Mollah joining Shibli in a 60-run stand. Tiaan van Vuuren eventually removed Mollah in a similar fashion, lbw for 24.

Captain Shahadat Hossain, who boasts six Test appearances, added experience to the middle order. He ended the day unbeaten on 42 off 121 balls, steadying things after the visitors dismissed Shibli via a sharp run-out orchestrated by Van Vuuren and keeper Ntando Zuma shortly after the opener reached his century.

South Africa Emerging then made further inroads when Andile Simelane had Ariful Islam caught by Muhammad Manack for just three, but the hosts ended the day slightly on top with an unbroken 38-run stand between Shahadat and Pritom Kumar (11*).

With the weather shaving off valuable playtime, day two is set to begin half an hour earlier at 09:00 local time.