Play called off for day 4

Match officials called off play for day 4 of the 2nd Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa at Mirpur stadium due to recurring rain.

Earlier, morning showers delayed the start of the fourth day.

There has now been as much play in this Test series as there has been waiting for clearer skies; the second successive abandoned day in Mirpur because of cyclone Komen taking the total number of washouts to four.

The amount of time lost in the series made the chance of any result other than a draw unlikely.

In that case South Africa, who are currently at the top of the Test rankings on 130 points, will lose five points, while Bangladesh, who sit at No.9, will gain six points.

After an engrossing day of cricket on the first day, Bangladesh are at 246 for 8 in 88.1 overs with Nasir Hossain unbeaten on 13 at the wicket.

Several Bangladeshi batsmen got out after good starts, while Mushfiqur Rahim became the first skipper for his side to score a fifty against South Africa in Test matches.

Dale Steyn became the 13th bowler to take 400 Test wickets but South Africa's part-time spinners enjoyed most of the success with JP Duminy taking three good wickets on the opening day of this Test.

The inclement weather is likely to have the last laugh as far as the game is concerned, with incessant rain at Dhaka from early morning today.

Rain is the order of the day according to AccuWeather.com and the chances of play on day 4 look slim indeed.

Bangladesh Team

Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain, Wicketkeeper), Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Liton Das, Mohammad Shahid, Mustafizur Rahman and Jubair Hossain

South Africa Team

D Elgar, S van Zyl, F du Plessis, HM Amla (Captain), T Bavuma, JP Duminy, DJ Vilas (Wicketkeeper), VD Philander, DW Steyn, SR Harmer, M Morkel