Bangladesh will host South Africa for a crucial two-Test series significant for South Africa’s World Test Championship aspirations. Temba Bavuma is unavailable for the first Test, and Aiden Markram will take over captaincy duties. Shakib Al Hasan will not play due to security concerns. The matches take place in Dhaka and Chattogram starting October 21, with live streaming available on FanCode in India.
The upcoming Test series between Bangladesh and South Africa comprises two critical matches that hold significant implications for South Africa’s prospects in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Currently, South Africa occupies the fifth position in the WTC standings, and any further misstep could jeopardize their chances of reaching the final. Therefore, the Proteas, having named a full-strength squad, will aim to secure maximum points from this series. Although Temba Bavuma will lead the team, he is unavailable for the first Test due to injury, and Aiden Markram will assume captaincy duties in his absence. Bangladesh, recognized for their formidable home advantage, will pose a strong challenge for South Africa. The home team is equipped with a skilled spin attack, which has historically contributed to their impressive performances on home soil. They will look to exploit this strength against the South African batters and capitalize on favorable conditions. A critical piece of information for fans is whether prominent all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will participate in the first Test against South Africa. Unfortunately, Al Hasan will not be part of the squad due to security concerns, and he has been omitted from the roster for this initial match. The details for the test matches are as follows: – The first Test will be held from October 21 to 25 in Dhaka, commencing at 9:00 AM IST. – The second Test is scheduled from October 29 to November 2 in Chattogram, also starting at 9:00 AM IST. The squads for the series are as follows: South Africa’s Test squad includes: Temba Bavuma (Unavailable for 1st Test), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, and Kyle Verreynne. Bangladesh’s squad for the first Test features: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das (WK), Zaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, and Hasan Murad. Fans in India can follow the series through live streaming on the FanCode app and website, as the Test matches will not be televised.
The Bangladesh versus South Africa Test series is an essential event in the cricket calendar, particularly concerning the World Test Championship standings. South Africa’s position in the WTC is precarious, as they currently rank fifth, necessitating a victorious outcome from the upcoming matches to remain in contention for the final. Additionally, the series presents a significant challenge for South Africa due to Bangladesh’s strong home performance, bolstered by their proficient spin attack. The absence of Shakib Al Hasan, a key player for the Bangladesh team, due to security issues further intensifies the implications of this series.
In summary, the Test series between Bangladesh and South Africa holds vital importance for the latter as they strive to improve their World Test Championship standings. With captain Temba Bavuma sidelined for the first Test, Aiden Markram will need to lead effectively against a determined Bangladesh squad. Shakib Al Hasan’s absence due to security concerns adds another layer of complexity to the matches, which fans can follow through the FanCode app in India, as televised coverage is unavailable.
Original Source: www.outlookindia.com