South Africa A took firm control of the first unofficial Test against Bangladesh A after an impressive all-round performance on the opening day at the LC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria on Sunday.

After dismissing the visitors for just 122, the hosts reached 170/2 at the close, giving them a 48-run first-innings lead with eight wickets still in hand.

Captain Marques Ackerman led the response with an unbeaten 80 off 87 balls, while Zubayr Hamza ended the day on 70 not out from 99 deliveries.

The pair put on an unbroken 149-run partnership for the third wicket after South Africa A had slipped to 21/2.

Earlier, the hosts’ decision to bowl first paid off as Gerald Coetzee and Tshepo Ntuli claimed three wickets apiece to help dismantle the Bangladesh A batting line-up.

Codi Yusuf made the first breakthrough when he removed Mohammad Naim for eight with the score on 15.

Coetzee then struck twice to remove Mahmudul Hasan Joy for 19 and Shahadat Hossain for 23, leaving Bangladesh A 61/3.

Tshepo Moreki joined the action when he dismissed Zakir Hasan for 11 before Yusuf picked up his second wicket, removing Bangladesh A captain Mahidul Islam Ankon for four.

Bangladesh A continued to lose wickets regularly as Moreki removed Nayeem Hasan for seven before Coetzee claimed his third when Afif Hossain departed for eight.

Ntuli then ran through the lower order, dismissing Al Fahad for 18, Iqbal Hossain Emon for four and Anamul Haque for three.

Hasan Murad was left unbeaten on eight as Bangladesh A were bowled out for 122 in 44.3 overs.

Coetzee finished with figures of 3/31 from 11 overs, while Ntuli was particularly economical, taking 3/6 from 4.3 overs. Yusuf claimed 2/22 and Moreki returned 2/38.

South Africa A’s reply got off to a difficult start when Lesego Senokwane was bowled by Al Fahad for a duck in the opening over.

Tshepang Dithole followed for 10 with the score on 21, but Bangladesh A were unable to make another breakthrough.

Hamza and Ackerman took control of the innings with an aggressive partnership that quickly erased the deficit and pushed South Africa A into the lead.

Ackerman struck eight fours and two sixes during his unbeaten 80, scoring at a strike rate of 91.95, while Hamza’s 70 not out included six fours and a six.

South Africa A eventually closed on 170/2 after 35.1 overs, leading by 48 runs heading into the second day.

With eight wickets remaining and both set batters at the crease, the hosts will have an opportunity to build a substantial first-innings advantage when play resumes on Monday.

Scores in brief

Bangladesh A 122 all out (44.3 overs)
Shahadat Hossain 23, Mahmudul Hasan Joy 19, Al Fahad 18; Gerald Coetzee 3/31, Tshepo Ntuli 3/6, Codi Yusuf 2/22, Tshepo Moreki 2/38.

South Africa A 170/2 (35.1 overs)
Marques Ackerman 80*, Zubayr Hamza 70*; Al Fahad 1/26, Anamul Haque 1/33.

South Africa A lead by 48 runs with eight first-innings wickets remaining.