Captain Aiden Markram has lauded Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Verreynne for their exceptional contributions that propelled South Africa to a memorable Test win against Bangladesh, marking the Proteas' first victory in the Subcontinent in a decade.
Chasing down a modest target of 106 runs on the fourth day of the first Test in Dhaka, South Africa triumphed by seven wickets, largely due to the remarkable performances of Rabada and Verreynne.
With the ball, Rabada emerged as the key performer, claiming figures of 3/26 in the first innings and an outstanding 6/46 in the second, achieving his 300th Test wicket in the process. He reached this milestone quicker than any other player in history, joining the elite ranks of South African bowlers like Dale Steyn and Shaun Pollock. Markram expressed his admiration, stating, "KG [Rabada] is a superstar for us... we're very lucky to have him."
Verreynne, on the other hand, crafted a spectacular 114 runs off 144 balls, transforming the team's precarious position from 106/6 to a solid 308 all out. His pivotal partnerships with Wiaan Mulder (54) and Dane Piedt (32) were crucial in building a 202-run first-innings lead. Reflecting on Verreynne's achievement, Markram remarked, "His hundred in his first Test in the Subcontinent is truly special," highlighting the player's resilience and skill in spin conditions.