DHAKA, Oct 24, 2024 (BSS)-Bangladesh spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed exuded 
confidence over his sides' chances of winning the first cricket Test against 
South Africa, stating that the players should keep faith on their ability to 
beat any team even from a dire strait. 

"Why not? You just have to believe that (you can win)," Mushtaq said after 
the Day 3 play, that was cut short due to rain and bad light.

"Every time you talk about belief -- it's about the process and not giving 
up. When you don't give up, the opposition also respects that you can."

Bangladesh began the day with a fear of tasting an innings defeat. Resuming 
the day at 101-3, still needing 101 runs more to avoid the shameful innings 
defeat, Bangladesh seemed to have lost the plot after losing three wickets in 
quick succession to be reduced to 112-6.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj who shared 
Bangladesh's fallen seven wickets, were the wrecker-in-chief. Rabada struck 
twice in three balls in just fourth over of the day and Maharaj joined him as 
Bangladesh lost three wickets in 22 balls, including the likes of overnight 
unbeaten batter Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudul Hasan Joy. 

When everyone saw a South African victory before the lunch session, Mehidy 
Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali Anik put a huge resistance and added a record 138-
run for the seventh wicket that eventually gave them an 81-run lead before 
the bad light brought a premature end to the day.

Debutant Jaker was dismissed for 58 but Miraz was not out on 87 as Bangladesh 
reached 283-7. 

"From my point of view, we have to believe. The belief has to be there, from 
any situation," Mushtaq, himself a legendary legspinner said, adding that the 
target of Bangladesh batters should be to bat as long as it is possible in a 
bid to grow the lead. 

"And when you have belief and confidence, you can challenge any team. So we 
have to bat as long as we can, score consistently, and get whatever lead we 
can," he added.

With the pitch being expected to deteriorate on Day 4 and 5, a lead anything 
over 150 could be dangerous for a team batting in the fourth innings. 

"In Pakistan, we won a match despite being reduced to 26-6. In Sha Allah, we 
even can win this match," Mushtaq, the former Pakistan great said. 

"You just have to keep that belief. Look at Taijul, he scored 16 in the first 
innings. That's the fighting spirit. You should not give up."

Bangladesh were bowled out for 106 in the first inning and then conceded a 
202-run lead as South Africa posted 308 before being all out, thanks to Kyle 
Verreynne's 114.