Kagiso Rabada grabs 300th Test wicket as South Africa take lead over Bangladesh

NEW DELHI: Kagiso Rabada , the South African paceman, set a new record by claiming his 300th Test wicket on the first day of the opening Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Monday.

Bangladesh were bowled out for a mere 106 runs in their first innings.

Rabada achieved the milestone in just 11,187 balls, with a strike rate of 39.39, surpassing the previous record held by former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis , who took 12,602 balls to reach the same feat.

The 29-year-old Rabada, who has a Test bowling average of 22, is now one of only six South African bowlers to have taken 300 or more Test wickets, with Dale Steyn leading the list at 439.

Fewest balls taken for 300 Test wickets

• 11817 - Kagiso Rabada (SA)*
• 12602 - Waqar Younis (PAK)
• 12605 - Dale Steyn (SA)
• 13672 - Allan Donald (SA)

In reply, South Africa struggled against Bangladesh's spin attack, reaching 140-6 when bad light forced an early end to the day's play. The visitors hold a slender 34-run lead, with Kyle Verreynne (18 not out) and Wiaan Mulder (17 not out) set to resume on Tuesday.

Taijul Islam was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, taking 5-49 and surpassing the 200-Test wicket mark in the process.

Kagiso Rabada gets his 300th test wicket! ⚡

Congratulations to Kagiso Rabada on reaching a monumental milestone, delivered at 13.5 overs in today’s Test against Bangladesh! 👏🏏🇿🇦

Your dedication to the craft and game-changing pace continues to inspire the nation.

Here’s to… pic.twitter.com/5b6IlTOfQ1

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 21, 2024

Despite promising starts from Tony de Zorzi (30), Ryan Rickelton (27), and Tristan Stubbs (23), the South African batsmen found it difficult to settle against Taijul's turning deliveries.

The Test in Dhaka is the first of a two-match series, with the second match scheduled to take place in Chittagong next week.