The Day 3 play of the first cricket Test between Bangladesh and South Africa stopped due to rain after Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped the hosts take a 65-run lead at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.

Miraz was unbeaten on 77 as Bangladesh reached 267-7. Nayeem Hasan was on 12.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 106 in its first innings and conceded a huge 202-run lead when South Africa replied with 308 before being all out.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (4-35) and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (3-98) shared the seven wickets to jolt Bangladesh but Miraz`s unwavering resolve helped Bangladesh avoid an innings defeat.

His stubborn innings also raised hope to set a good target for South Africa.

Miraz and Jaker Ali Anik who made 58 on debut, shared 138-run for the seventh wicket stand to help Bangladesh into a lead by weathering the massive deficit.

Rabada and Maharaj jolted Bangladesh with three quick wickets in just 22 balls in morning session to leave at 112-6 and in danger of an innings defeat.

But Miraz resisted impeccably, with Jaker`s support, to ensure the hosts could at least make South Africa bat for the second time.

Rabada used the early moisture of the pitch expertly after Bangladesh resumed at 101-3. He pegged back the hosts with two wickets in three balls in just the fourth day.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged a delivery to first slip after being undone by the extra bounce for 40 off 92.

Mushfiqur Rahim who became the first Bangladesh batter to reach 6000 Test runs on Day 2, paid the price of lack of foot movement as Rabada`s fuller-length delivery skidded through to rattle the stump.

Mushfiqur added two runs to his overnight tally to be out on 33.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj who had figures of 2-60 successfully reviewed one to remove Liton Das after he scored 7.

Miraz and Jaker survived a probing spell of Rabada and Maharaj to set them in the crease.

Miraz hit Dane Piedt a six over his head to grow with confidence and then drove Maharaj to deep mid-off for a single to raise his ninth fifty from 94 balls.

However, after the lunch session, Maharaj broke through, trapping Jaker leg-before, albeit the batter reviewed the decision in vain. Jaker hit seven fours for his 111 ball-knock.

Miraz and Nayeem looked resolute until the rain stopped the play.