CHITTAGONG: The first cricket Test between Bangladesh and South Africa ended in a draw on Saturday after rain washed out the fifth day’s play in Chittagong.

With no chance of a result in the weather-battered match, officials called off play at noon (0600 GMT).

South Africa captain Hashim Amla said he was disappointed over the loss of playing hours.

“It goes without saying that when you come all the way from South Africa you really want to play Test cricket,” Amla said at the post-match press conference.

“But these things you can’t really control. So there’s no use getting frustrated about it,” he said. “The game was poised in our favour I feel, but there’s nothing you can do about it.”

This was the first draw for Bangladesh against South Africa after defeats in previous eight Tests, seven by an innings margin.

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim said he was expecting a better result, especially after taking the first innings lead.

“Yes, it’s frustrating. It was really positive for us to take the lead against the world’s top-ranked Test side,” Mushfiqur said after the match. “If there had been a complete match, the result could have been different. We can only take positives from the match. .

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim gestures during a news conference.—AFP

“Bowling them out cheaply and then scoring over 300 runs against them first time, taking the lead, the batting of top and late order are positives for us.”

Rain had washed out the entire fourth day’s play and some 50 overs were lost on the second and third days at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

South Africa, who scored 248 in the first innings, bowled out Bangladesh for 326 before making 61-0 in their second knock.

Bangladesh’s first innings total was their highest ever against the Proteas, the top-ranked Test team.

Stiaan van Zyl remained unbeaten on 33 and Dean Elgar was 28 not out for South Africa.

Bangladesh’s pace debutant Mustafizur Rahman was judged man-of-the-match for his 4-37, including three wickets in an over in the first innings.

The home side named an unchanged squad for the second and final Test, which will be played in Dhaka from Thursday.

Final scores:

SOUTH AFRICA 248 (T. Bavuma 54, F. du Plessis 48, D. Elgar 47; Mustafizur Rahman 4-37, Jubair Hossain 3-53) and 61-0 (S. Van Zyl 33 not out, D. Elgar 28 not out); BANGLADESH 326 (Mohammad Mahmudullah 67, Tamim Iqbal 57, Litton Das 50, Shakib Al Hasan 47; D.W. Steyn 3-78, S.R. Harmer 3-105).

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2015

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