Johannesburg, November 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Bangladesh batter Mahfijul Islam endured a nightmare start to his Test career on Sunday, becoming the first player from his country and only the fourth in Test cricket history to be dismissed off the opening delivery of a match on his debut.
The debutant, drafted into the playing XI in place of injured Shadman Islam, was caught in the slips off South African pacer Kagiso Rabada’s first delivery at the Wanderers Stadium. Mahfijul chased a ball that seamed away from him, edging it to the slip cordon without scoring.
The rare dismissal had previously been recorded by Afghanistan’s Abdul Malik in 2021, South Africa’s Jimmy Cook in 1992 and West Indies batter Leon Garrick in 2001.
Rabada, meanwhile, joined an exclusive group of South African bowlers to take a wicket with the first ball of a men’s Test match. He became the fourth Proteas bowler to achieve the feat, following Bert Vogler, Allan Donald and Dale Steyn.
Vogler dismissed England’s Tom Hayward in 1907, Donald removed Garrick in 2001, while Steyn claimed the wicket of England’s Andrew Strauss in 2010.
Bangladesh, who elected to bat after winning the toss, suffered further setbacks as Rabada dismissed Mominul Haque for a duck before bowling captain Najmul Hossain Shanto in the ninth over. The visitors were reduced to 22 for three.
Bangladesh fielded three specialist seamers — Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed — with Mehidy Hasan Miraz leading the spin attack. South Africa brought Zubayr Hamza and Dane Paterson into the side after their recent victory over Australia in the third and final Test of that series.
Bangladesh have yet to register a Test victory against South Africa. Of their previous 16 meetings, they lost 14 and drew two.
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