The first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa began on Thursday (March 31, 2022) at Kingsmead in Durban. When Tamim Iqbal was dropped from the playing XI for the first Test due to stomach pain, there was a fear that Bangladesh’s batting order would collapse against a well-versed South African bowling attack in the conditions. The concern was justified as most of Bangladesh's batters failed completely in the first innings, except for Mahmudul Hasan Joy. He was there at the crease till the end, playing the anchor role for the team. How Bangladesh players can take inspiration from Joy’s knock to save the first Test of the SA vs BAN series 2022 is discussed in this article. Mahmudul Hasan Joy's Maiden Test Hundred Highlights 21-year-old Mahmudul Hasan Joy made his Test debut last December against Pakistan. He made 0 and 6 in his first Test match but caught the eye of many after playing a determined 78-run knock against New Zealand in the first Test of 2-match series earlier this January. He stunned everyone by staying five hours at the crease and making 78 runs in 228 balls. His knock laid the foundation of Bangladesh’s first innings and eventually took a commanding lead over New Zealand. Bangladesh went on to win the contest by 8 wickets, and that was arguably the best ever Test win in Bangladesh's history. Read Pakistan easily beat Australia and clinch ODI series 2-1 Mahmudul Hasan’s 78-run knock can easily take a spot among the greatest Test innings by Bangladesh players. However, within three months, Joy produced his first Test hundred, which can be regarded as even better than the innings he played against New Zealand earlier this January. Mahmudul Hasan Joy opened the innings along with Shadman Islam in the first innings in the ongoing first match of the two-match Test series against South Africa. He stayed at the crease till the end and was the last man to get dismissed. Mahmudul Hasan Joy played the anchor role for the team and constructed some crucial partnerships in the middle. He found himself in both good and difficult situations while building his innings, but he didn’t lose his concentration. Mahmudul Hasan’s determination was on another level, which can’t be compared to other Bangladesh batters. Read Bangladesh 298 all out, South Africa lead by 75 in 1st Test Mahmudul Hasan made 137 runs in 326 balls after spending more than seven hours at the crease. Overall, he hit fifteen boundaries and two sixes in the innings. Mahmudul Hasan formed two vital partnerships: one with Najmul Hossain Shanto for 55 runs for the second wicket, and the other with Litton Das for 82 runs for the sixth wicket.  The level of maturity and responsibility he showed in his innings was really admirable. It was an unbelievable effort by a 21-year-old batter. The rest of Bangladesh's players, especially the batters, should take inspiration from his attitude and focus to thrive in the middle. With 137 runs, Mahmudul Hasan Joy also became the highest scorer among the Asian openers in South Africa. This was a really special achievement by Mahmudul Hasan. Read Magnificent Mahmudul hits ton against South Africa The Top Five Test Knocks in South Africa by Asian Openers Player Runs Mahmudul Hasan Joy (BAN) 137 Taufeeq Umar (PAK) 135 KL Rahul (IND) 123 Saeed Anwar (PAK) 118 Wasim Jaffer (IND) 116    Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/ Read Bangladesh lose quick wickets to end Day 2 in Durban First Test Match Scenario of SA vs BAN Series 2022 Batting first, South Africa scored 367 in their first innings. Tamba Bavuma scored the most runs for the Proteas, while pacer Khaled Ahmed took the most wickets for Bangladesh. In reply, Bangladesh were bowled out for 298 in their first innings, 69 runs behind South Africa’s first innings (367) total. South Africa started their second innings in the final hour of day-3, and they would try to construct a lead in excess of 300 before giving Bangladesh a target to chase. The Bangladesh team has to play with a lot of determination in the fourth innings in order to earn a positive result. Therefore, the last two days of the match would be very interesting to watch. Read Pakistan level ODI series with 6-wicket win over Australia Bottom Line Mahmudul Hasan Joy showed real promise in the first innings. Joy's knock displays that anyone can play long innings on this surface if they can give themselves some time to adapt to the pitch conditions. Joy’s determination was on a different level, and the rest of the Bangladesh players needed to learn how to stay long at the crease in order to play long innings. The first Test match of the SA vs BAN series 2022 is evenly matched. Both Bangladesh and South Africa have the potential to win the opening match if they play with confidence for the remaining two days and execute their respective game plans properly. Read Tigers to host Lankan Lions in May for two Tests

Bangladesh's overall record on South African territory was abysmal prior to their trip to South Africa in March 2022. However, the Tigers made history in South Africa after winning the ODI series against the Proteas national team last week. Now the Bangladesh team believes they have a realistic chance of winning the Test series against South Africa. However, certain players will have to bear extra duties during the contest. Take a look at the five players who might make a difference for Bangladesh in the SA vs BAN Test series 2022. Five important Bangladesh players in the 2022 Test Series against South Africa The Tigers Test team recently defeated the Blackcaps in New Zealand, and this outstanding performance has strengthened their confidence before the Test series against South Africa. Therefore, the Bangladesh team and its players must live up to high expectations. Here are five players who can make an impact on Bangladesh's performance in the SA vs BAN Test series 2022.  Taskin Ahmed Test Stats: M: 10 | Wkts: 23 | BBI: 4/82 | Ave: 56.73 | 4W: 2 Taskin Ahmed's Test bowling average is quite low, however, that does not reflect his current form with the ball. Taskin has improved as a fast bowler over the past three years and is currently Bangladesh's go-to bowler in all formats. In the just-concluded Bangladesh-South Africa ODI series, he was named player of the series after taking 8 wickets in three matches. Taskin is expected to torment the Proteas batters in the forthcoming Test series. Read ICC Women's World Cup 2022: Meet the Semi-Finalists Mominul Haque Test Stats: M: 49 | Runs: 3,501 | HS: 181 | Ave: 41.18 | 100s: 11 Test captain, Mominul Haque has the best batting average among the Bangladesh batters, but his overseas record is poor. Mominul and a portion of the Bangladesh Test team have been working hard under the direction of Garry Kirsten in preparation for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. Hopefully, the Southpaw will display his actual talent in the longer-version format. Besides, Mominul has an added responsibility as captain to properly guide his team during the contest. Tamim Iqbal Test Stats: M: 64 | Runs: 4,788 | HS: 206 | Ave: 39.57 | 100s: 9 Tamim Iqbal will be critical in helping Bangladesh get off to a good start in the innings. He put up a strong performance in the third match of the ODI series, which will undoubtedly bolster his confidence heading into the Test series. If Tamim can play long innings, Bangladesh's chances of scoring a big total will improve. Read https://unb.com.bd/category/sports/icc-womens-world-cup-2022-meet-the-semi-finalists/90052 Mushfiqur Rahim Test Stats: M: 78 | Runs: 4,873 | HS: 219* | Ave: 36.91 | 100s: 7   Mushfiqur Rahim is the heart of Bangladesh's middle order, and he must shoulder the bulk of the batting workload. Mushfiqur is on the verge of scoring 5,000 Test runs, and he may do so in Durban's opening match. The Bangladesh team will be hoping for a strong batting effort from the country's most seasoned international cricketer.   Mehidy Hasan Miraz Test Stats: M: 31 | Runs: 1,012 | HS: 103 | Ave: 20.24 | 100s: 1 | Wkts: 119 | BBI: 7/58 | Ave: 34.89 | 5W: 8  Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz will be key for Bangladesh in the two-match Test series in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan. Miraz is a proven Test bowler who might pose a real threat to the Proteas batting line-up. In addition, Miarz is an effective lower-middle order batter. He has the ability to form important partnerships in the lower half of the order. Read SA vs BAN Test Series 2022: Ten Expected Milestones for Bangladesh Players Aftermath Bangladesh lost ten of their twelve Test matches against South Africa, including six on South African territory. Given the statistics between the two teams, it is clear that South Africa have dominated Bangladesh in the longer-version format. However, the team Tigers has a realistic chance to improve their Test stats in the next two-match bilateral series against the Proteas. Because the series will not include a full-strength South African side. The visitors will have a shot at beating the hosts in front of their home crowds. Besides, Bangladesh can enhance their ICC Test Championship standings if they do well in the series. However, Bangladesh's prospects in the series would decide how the players perform against the South African side. Players must be more accountable in their tasks in order to put pressure on the opponent, and senior members of the team will have to undertake additional duties. The collective efforts will determine the Bangladesh team outcome in the SA vs BAN Test series 2022. Read SA vs BAN ODI Series 2022: Bangladesh Cricket Team's Performance Analysis