A fine half-century from Mominul Haque (72 off 138) guided Bangladesh to a respectable 218/4 at lunch on day 3 of the first test at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.

Haque played with freedom as well as intent as he put the bad deliveries to the boundary in a stylish and wristy knock that gave the Bangladeshis something to shout about. Haque has hit 12 boundaries in hi unbeaten knock thus far.

The Bangladeshi batsman started day 4 on a good note as Tamim Iqbal and Haque put up a 55-run partnership.

Proteas debutant Andile Phehlukwayo though ended the partnership with a delivery that Iqbal edge and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock took behind with a stunning one-handed catch.

Souta Africa’s bowlers toiled in the morning session as Keshav Maharaj almost got the wicket of Mamudullah but Amla could not take the chance at slip with the score on 214/4.

Mahmudullah then joined Haque at the crease and the pair guided Bangladesh to lunch with an unbeaten 64 run partnership.