The big picture: A new era for Bangladesh Instead of a farewell to the legend, the Dhaka Test will be Bangladesh’s first Test after Shakib Al Hasan after the government advised him not to come due to security reasons. Bangladesh is also in the process of replacing its head coach, as BCB sacked Chandika Hathursinghe and promptly appointed Phil Simmons.
Meanwhile, South Africa are quietly preparing for their first Test in nine years in Bangladesh. To make up for their lack of experience in Bangladesh, the visitors are reportedly spending long hours in the net at the Sher-Bangla National Stadium.
Themba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada are the only players to survive the previous tour of Bangladesh, where both Tests were canceled due to rain. Aiden Markram will lead the team as Bavuma will miss the first Test due to an elbow injury. South Africa are likely to have at least one debutant in their top four to replace Bavuma. T20 star Dewald Brevis could step up.
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South Africa’s batsmen will rely heavily on Markram and his opening partner Tony De Sorge, while David Briedingham and Tristan Stubbs will have to take care of the middle order. While the experienced Keshav Maharaj will lead the bowling attack, if the final assessment of Dhaka’s pitch is anything to go by, Rabada may be asked to do mostly holding duties.
New Zealand captain Tim Southee called it “probably the worst pitch I’ve ever seen” after the spinners completely dominated the match last December.
Bangladesh already have three frontline spinners before adding left-arm spinner Hasan Murad to replace Shakib. At least three are likely to feature in Dhaka and they may face the dilemma of whether to play four or five bowlers. Of course, there is no obvious replacement for Shakib, but Bangladesh will be hoping to be able to establish a balanced eleven soon.
form guide
Bangladesh LLWWL (Last 5 Tests, most recent first)
South Africa WDLLL
People to watch: Hasan Mahmoud and David Bedingham
Hasan Mahmud has had a promising start to his Test career. A slim medium pacer bowls average line and length on the outside of the off-stump. Mahmood, who made his debut earlier this year, has already picked up five wickets in Pakistan and India. His 20 wickets in five Tests is undoubtedly the best start for a Bangladeshi fast bowler. Home Tests are always a challenge, especially at the Sher-Bangla National Stadium, but Mahmood’s discipline will come in handy.
Fresh off a strong county season with Durham, David Bedingham now faces a new challenge, playing in the subcontinent for the first time. In other words, a stylish middle-order batsman will be playing against a skilled spinner. This could be an important tour for the 30-year-old, who has only taken six Tests.
Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi add 43 points for first wicketAFP/Getty Images
Team news: Brevis could make his debut. Bangladesh considering five bowlers
Facing five specialist bowlers means Bangladesh will promote Mehdi Hasan Miraz to number five. Another option would be to remove one of the pacers and let Jayker Ali make his debut in the middle order.
11th King of Bangladesh (estimated): 1 Zakir Hasan, 2 Shadman Islam, 3 Mominul Haq, 4 Nazimul Hossain Shant (Captain), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Mehdi Hasan Miraz, 7 Litton Das (Week) ), 8 Naeem Hasan, 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Hasan Mahmood
Dewald Brevis could make his debut as number four due to Themba Bavuma’s injury. South Africa have pace options, with left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy likely to replace the injured Nandre Berger.
South Africa (estimated): 1 Aiden Markram (captain), 2 Tony de Zorge, 3 Tristan Stubbs, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 David Bedingham, 6 Kyle Verane (wk), 7 Wyanne Mulder, 8 Senuran – Muthusamy, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Dane Pete
Pitches and conditions: Have Dhaka pitches improved?
The ICC rated Dhaka’s pitch as unsatisfactory in the last Test in December last year, but it remains to be seen whether curator Gamini Silva has put in the effort in the past 10 months. The forecast is for rain from the third day onwards.
statistics and trivia
Bangladesh is yet to beat South Africa and India in a Test.
South Africa have lost 10 of the last 13 Tests on the subcontinent, with the remaining three resulting in draws.
Themba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada are the only survivors from South Africa’s last tour of Bangladesh.
quotation
“I’m not thinking about the noise outside. I’m focused on the game. We’ve never beaten South Africa before, so this is a great opportunity considering the fact that we’re playing at home with the team.”
Bangladesh captain Nazimul Hossain Shanto talks about the turmoil facing his team ahead of the Dhaka Test.
