Record win keeps South Africa on track for WTC final

Keshav Maharaj (second left) has taken 184 Test wickets

Second Test, Chattogram

South Africa 575-6 dec (De Zorzi 177, Stubbs 106, Mulder 105*)

Bangladesh 159 (Haque 82, Rabada 5-37) & 143 (Maharaj 5-59 & Muthusamy 4-45)

South Africa won by an innings and 273 runs

Scorecard

South Africa registered their record Test win as they thrashed Bangladesh within three days to remain on track for the World Test Championship final.

The Proteas won the second Test in Chattogram by an innings and 273 runs to beat their previous best by 19 runs, also against Bangladesh, in 2017.

The hosts started day three on 38-4 in their first innings and were soon 48-8, before a ninth-wicket stand of 103 between Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam dragged them to 159, with Kagiso Rabada taking 5-37.

South Africa enforced the follow-on and bowled the Tigers out for 143 in just 43.4 overs to wrap up the victory.

Left-arm spinners Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy took 5-59 and 4-45 respectively as South Africa secured a 2-0 series win.

It is the ninth time that South Africa have beaten Bangladesh by an innings in just 16 Tests.

"I am incredibly proud - that was special," said South Africa captain Aiden Markram.

"Qualifying for the World Test Championship final is a long way away but to be in the mix for the finals is what's driving us."

The win moves South Africa to fourth in the World Test Championship standings, but victories in their four home Tests against Sri Lanka and Pakistan between now and January would see them qualify for June's final at Lord's.

Three wins and a draw - and even three wins and a defeat - may be enough depending on results in other series.