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The second Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa kicked off on October 29 at Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. Opting to bat first, South Africa immediately put Bangladesh on the back foot. Displaying remarkable focus and skill, the Proteas batters steadily added to the total, leaving Bangladesh’s bowlers under sustained pressure from the outset.
South Africa’s batters displayed resilience throughout the day, with each contributing to the team’s total. However, it was Tony de Zorzi who truly stole the show. The young opener reached a major pers🌌onal 🥂milestone, thrilling fans and teammates alike with his remarkable performance.
Tony de Zorzi’s memorable maiden century
During the second session, De Zorzi achieved his maiden Test century, a proud moment for the player and his team. His standout shot came in the 55th over, delivered by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. De Zorzi confidently played a floated delivery outside the off stump, sending the ball over deep backward square leg to bring up his hundred. The 🍸South African team erupted in applause as De Zorzi celebrated by flexing his arms with a wide grin toward his teammates, marking the accomplishment.
With this impressive knock, De Zorzi became only the third South African opener to reach a Test century in Bangladesh, following the examples set by Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie in 2008.
Also READ: 3 players who can lead Bangladesh after Najmul Hossaiꦰn Shanto’s exit as captain
South African Openers to Score Test Centuries in Bangladesh:
- Graeme Smith (232) – Chattogram, 2008
- Neil McKenzie (226) – Chattogram, 2008
- Tony de Zorzi (100*) – Chattogram, 2024
Fans heaps praise on De Zorzi for maiden century
Cri🌱cket fans around the world took to X (formerly Tw💜itter) to applaud De Zorzi’s remarkable achievement, celebrating his talent and dedication. Here are some notable reactions:
Lovely innings from Tony De Zorzi. A ma🤡iden Test century is always special to watch.
— Philasande Sixaba (@psixaba)
TONY DE ZORZI 💯!!!!!
It's a Maiden test match century for TDZ! Exceptional test match hundred at the top of the order for SA!! Got through the new ball and gave himself a platform to cash and boy did he cash in!!
Top knock!🔥Well batted 👏
— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@LawrenceBailey꧙0)
Maiden Test 💯 for TONY DE ZORZI
— Caught & Bowled (@caught1bowled)
Tony de Zorzi! Maiden Test hundred, may it b🉐e the first of many
— Kelly R (@KelRo736)
Tony de Zorzi ⛄brings up his maiden Test hundrꩵed 💯 🏏
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Tony de Zorzi you beauty!!! What a 💎grea💧t century 💯 🏏🇿🇦🔥
— Gills (@gpricey23)
𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 🏏🇿🇦
Tony♉ de Zorzi gets his first test century for South Africa.🐽 100 from 146 balls.
Take a bow Tony! 👏
— Ayanda Nyuswa (@atnyuswa)
Tony de Zorzi gets his maiden Test hundred! 🐼He’s looked so assured and confident at the crease! Well played! 👏👏👏
— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin)
TONY DE ZORZI DOES IT!
Maiden Test century!
What a knock! So well played, thoroug𓄧hly deserved!
Congratulations on this milestone, Tony! You𓄧r 🐼hard work pays off!
— Akshay Tadvi 🇮🇳 (@AkshayTadvi28)
Tony de Zorzi is the first 🇿🇦 opener in 16 years and ♔just the third 🇿🇦 opener t🔜his century to post a Test fifty in Bangladesh.
SA openers to post a 50+ score in Bangladesh since 2ꦆ🤪000
Graeme Smith (2008, twice)
Neil McKenzie (2008)
Tony de Zorzi (2024)
Top knock.— Akul Diddi (@akul_diddi)
That’s a beaut of a knock by Tony De Zorzi!
Got a bit lucky be🍌ing dropped early🍷 but played superbly to get his 100.
— Conductor Bets – Sports Betting (@BrendonWessels)
Very good hundred for Tony de Zorzi. Nice rhythm to that innings. Only the fifth player in that squad to make a Test hundred. Shows the inexpereince in the group.
The Trae Young celebration is becoming a bit old now though…— stuart hess (@shockerhess)
Tristan Stu꧃bbs and Tony de Zorzi🌸 during the post lunch session 🥺.
— Basia (@tweetsbybase)
MAIDEN TEST CENTURY FOR TONY DE ZORZI..!
What an Excellent inning,First one is always special and ☂hཧe scored his maiden hundred in Asia absolutely Remarkable 🙌
He reach there in just 147 balls. His unique celebration says it all he's rubbing his biceps💪🔥
— Shivam Dubey (@ShivamDubey45)
What strikes me about Tony de Zorzi is that he hasn't let the next level of international cricket affect him. He looks as comfortable at the crease as he would do domestically.
— Grant (@grantbn6)
Maiden Test Hundred for Tony de zorzi ❤️
— ITZ__MSD🐐 (@Ahamed_dhoni011)
Big hu🥃ndred by Tony De Zor🅰zi. Ice-cold Celebration to top it.
— Tsogo 💫 (@YoungKingTso)
Yeah that was special from Tony De Zorzi , 1st test match hundred and on the sub continent, tᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚhen drops the 🥶 celebration. This guy is extremely cool , fantastic cricketer. Bat on 👏
— Matthew Bauer (@MB5Plug)
