South Africa is back in the race for the top-two finish in the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings for the current cycle, with a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first Test in Dhaka

South Africa is back in the race for the top-two finish in the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings for the current cycle, with a seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first Test in Dhaka. Early on day four, the Proteas wrapped up Bangladesh’s second innings on 307, with seamer Kagiso Rabada returning with six wickets, overall nine in the match.

Chasing 106, the visitors lost three wickets but achieved their target in 22 overs.

This win in Dhaka is South Africa's first in Asia since 2014 and second in Bangladesh, the first since 2008 in Chattogram, where they won by an innings and 205 runs.

With a PCT of 47.61%, they leapfrogged New Zealand, who took the number four spot earlier following their first Test win in India in 36 years in their previous match.

For the Proteas to confirm their top-two finish, they must win their remaining five Tests, which will see them attain a PCT of 69.44% (assuming no-point deduction on slower over rates).

However, four wins from five matches will read their PCT 61.11%, giving them a greater chance of making their maiden WTC Final, but that would also depend on other results of Australia, India and Sri Lanka.
Rabada stars in Dhaka
The ace seamer Rabada was the star for South Africa in the first Test, returning with nine wickets in the game. Rabada picked his 300th Test wicket in the first innings, taking 11,817 balls to reach the milestone the fewest for any bowler.

His strike rate of 39.2 at the end of Bangladesh’s first innings in Mirpur is the best among all bowlers who have picked 300 or more Test wickets, with former pacer Dale Steyn second on the list with a 42.3 strike rate.

South Africa dismissed Bangladesh on 106 in the first innings and, in reply, scored 308, taking a 202-run lead. Kyle Verreynne scored his maiden Test hundred, while Taijul Islam picked five wickets. In the second innings, Bangladesh was reduced to 112 for six at one stage but went on to score 307, thanks to a brilliant 97 by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Rabada was the star in the second innings for the Proteas.

Chasing 106, South Africa openers Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram added 42 for the first wicket, setting the tone.

Taijul picked two wickets but failed to inspire his team to a win, resulting in South Africa taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Chattogram will host the second Test starting October 29.