In chase of a steep target, Bangladesh lost three top-order batters in quick succession late in the third session of the fourth day in their first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban today.  

Bangladesh, who have been set a 274-run target by the Proteas, were left reeling at 11 for three before umpires called Stumps early due to bad light. The Tigers will need 263 more runs to win the Test.

The top-order meltdown was orchestrated by the South African spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer. Harmer, who had accounted for four Bangladesh top-order batters in the first innings, gave the first breakthrough to the hosts when he had left-handed opener Shadman Islam drawn into a shot only to induce an edge off his willow. Shadman was caught at slip by Keegan Petersen as the Tigers lost their first wicket.

Maharaj, after going wicketless in the first innings, then joined in the action as he went through the bat and pad to rattle the stumps of Mahmudul Hasan Joy, the lone centurion of the Test.

Maharaj then went on to trap Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque in the penultimate ball of the same over as the Tigers found themselves in deep water. Mominul was dumbfounded as he went on his backfoot to negotiate a good length ball that was coming in towards the left-hander. Mominul failed to get his bat down in time as he hit the back of his pad with it while the ball went on to hit him on the pads.

The Bangladesh skipper did not opt for a review as South Africa celebrated vehemently.