October 24, 2024: Kyle Verreynne, South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter, reflected on his team’s impressive 7-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dhaka, marking their first Test win in Asia since 2014.
This victory not only helped the Proteas climb to fourth in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings with a 47.62% point percentage but also solidified their place as a formidable team in the ongoing cycle.
Verreynne, named the Player of the Match, played a pivotal role with a stunning 114-run knock at a strike rate of 79.17, which anchored South Africa’s first-innings total of 308. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he attributed his success to backing his options and forming strong partnerships, particularly in the subcontinent, where conditions require patience and resilience.
“It was the same thinking we were talking about in the last two months. Just backing my options and wanted to make sure I took the right ones. That’s what Wiaan [Mulder] and I looked to do,” Verreynne said. He also praised Dane Piedt’s contribution with the bat, which helped South Africa cross the crucial 300-run mark.
South Africa’s bowlers were instrumental in both innings. Kagiso Rabada shone with match figures of 9/72, including a stellar 6/46 in Bangladesh’s second innings. His performance not only led South Africa to victory but also elevated him into the top five of South Africa’s leading wicket-takers in international cricket, with 536 wickets. Rabada also became the fastest Proteas bowler to take 300 Test wickets in terms of balls bowled.
South Africa will look to seal the series in the second Test, which starts on October 29 in Chattogram.
