Mehidy and Jaker keep Bangladesh's hopes alive against South Africa

Half-centuries from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali gave Bangladesh an 81-run lead over South Africa before bad light prematurely ended day three of the first Test on Wednesday.

When the umpires called stumps about an hour before the scheduled end, the hosts were at 283-7 in Mirpur, with Mehidy on 87 and Nayeem Hasan on 16.

Due to rain interruptions, fewer than 58 overs were bowled throughout the day, with South Africa managing only five overs in the last session. Mehidy and debutant Jaker put together a crucial partnership of 138 runs for the seventh wicket, rescuing Bangladesh from the brink of an innings defeat after they resumed at 101-3, chasing South Africa's first-innings lead of 202 runs.

Jaker was eventually trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj for 58.

In the morning session, South African pace bowler Kagiso Rabada capitalized on the overcast conditions, claiming two wickets in three balls during the fifth over. 

Mahmudul Hasan Joy was dismissed after scoring 40, with his attempted drive resulting in a thick edge to first slip, where David Bedingham took the catch. Rabada's fourth wicket came just two balls later when he bowled Mushfiqur Rahim for 33, sending the middle stump cartwheeling with a full delivery that nipped back. Wicketkeeper Litton Das fell for just seven, edging a sharply turning delivery from Maharaj to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, with the dismissal confirmed on review after an initial lbw shout.

In their first innings, South Africa scored 308, bolstered by Verreynne's second Test century, in response to Bangladesh's total of 106 all out on the first day. 

Bangladesh has never won a Test match against South Africa.

The second and final match of the series will begin on October 29 in Chattogram.