Bangladesh aims to start the South Africa Test series on a positive note after a disappointing outing in India. With South Africa’s lack of experience in Bangladesh and captain Temba Bavuma sidelined due to injury, Bangladesh is confident of securing their first-ever Test win against the visitors. The conditions favor their spinners, and despite recent controversies, the team remains focused on the match ahead.

Dhaka, October 20, 2024 (BSS) – Following a disappointing series in India, the Bangladesh cricket team is poised to regain their winning momentum as they prepare to face South Africa in the opening match of a two-match Test series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, scheduled to commence tomorrow (Monday) at 9:30 AM. The match will be broadcast live on Gazi TV and T Sports in Bangladesh. The Tigers harbor confidence for a victorious start against the South African side, which is notably inexperienced on Bangladeshi soil; other than Temba Bavuma, no member of the current visiting squad has participated in a Test match in Bangladesh. Bavuma himself is sidelined for the first Test due to injury, with Aiden Markram stepping in as captain in his absence. Historically, Bangladesh has not achieved a win against South Africa in their fourteen Test encounters, having lost twelve and drawn two. The last series between the two teams in 2015 ended in two draws, primarily affected by adverse weather conditions. However, since that time, Bangladesh has developed a robust home record, impressively defeating cricketing powerhouses such as England, Australia, and New Zealand on their home turf. This recent success at home has instilled a belief within the Bangladeshi squad that they can secure a win against a South African side that has not triumphed in a Test match on subcontinent pitches for the past decade. “We have not won against South Africa before, so this is a great opportunity given our team and the fact that we are playing at home,” stated Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. Shanto remarked, “I think they are a good team, although they are not experienced. We did well in Pakistan, but did not succeed in India. I believe the Test team is in good form. It will be crucial to establish our dominance session by session.” The Mirpur pitch historically favors spinners due to its slow nature, which often presents challenges for teams outside of the subcontinent. South Africa’s difficulties against spin further bolster Bangladesh’s chances. Shanto commented, “Spinners usually have a strong role in Mirpur. They need to adhere to the process and bowl each delivery for the team. Our goal is to take 20 wickets, which will become easier if we follow our established processes.” Despite distractions from external factors, such as the recent controversies surrounding star player Shakib Al Hasan and the sacking of head coach Chandika Hathurusingha shortly before the series, Shanto maintains that the team’s focus remains solely on the match. “We are not thinking of the outside noise. We are concentrated on the match. This is a significant opportunity for us given our home advantage,” he affirmed. The squads are as follows: Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das (Wicketkeeper), Zaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad. South Africa: Temba Bavuma (Captain), 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, Kyle Verreynne.

The article discusses the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa amid recent challenges faced by the Bangladeshi team. Despite a poor performance in their last series in India, they seek to capitalize on South Africa’s inexperience on Bangladeshi turf. The context highlights the historical struggles Bangladesh has faced against South Africa and emphasizes their recent strengths on home soil. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expresses optimism while addressing prevailing external issues affecting team dynamics.

In conclusion, Bangladesh’s confidence in securing a victory against South Africa stems from their strong home record and the visitors’ lack of experience in local conditions. As captain Najmul Hossain Shanto emphasizes, this series represents a significant opportunity for the Tigers to establish their dominance over a team that has historically proven challenging to defeat. With strategic bowling and a focused mindset, Bangladesh aims to break their winless streak against South Africa in the upcoming Test match.

Original Source: www.bssnews.net