Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has assured his team’s focus on the upcoming Test series against South Africa, despite the notable absence of star all-rounder Shakib al Hasan. The two-match series, set to kick off on Monday in Mirpur, carries significant weight as it contributes to the World Test Championship (WTC) points. The series marks the return of international cricket to Bangladesh after a student-led revolution toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August. The final of the WTC is scheduled for next year in England, with South Africa currently holding sixth place in the standings and Bangladesh seventh.
Shakib al Hasan, who announced his retirement from international cricket last month, initially planned to return for one final red-ball series at home. However, security concerns and his ties to the ousted government led him to cancel his return, prompting Bangladesh to call up uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad as his replacement.
Najmul Hossain Shanto acknowledged the absence of Shakib but maintained that dwelling on it would be unproductive, as the team has no control over the situation. He emphasized the team’s commitment to securing positive results in the series. “It will only be a waste of time if we think too much about this, since we cannot control it,” Shanto told reporters on Sunday, the eve of the match in Mirpur. “These two Tests are very important to us… Players are preparing and focusing on cricket only.”
Meanwhile, South Africa’s stand-in captain Aiden Markram confirmed his team’s acclimatization to the “nice, hot and sweaty” conditions in Dhaka. However, Markram dispelled any sense of relief at not facing Shakib, stating that Bangladesh still boasts a strong squad, particularly in their home conditions.
The spin-friendly wickets in Bangladesh pose a unique challenge for the South African team, as Markram highlighted. “The spin is a big talking point, especially being from South Africa,” he said. “We don’t get conditions like that at home.”
Bangladesh will enter the series with a new coach, Phil Simmons, after Chandika Hathurusingha was suspended on Tuesday for alleged misconduct, charges he denies. Shanton acknowledged Simmons’ experience and coaching ability, but also recognized the need for time to adapt to the new system. “He is trying to understand the environment inside the dressing room,” Shanto said. “But he is new and we also don’t know him well. I hope in the next few matches we can adjust.”
The second Test is scheduled to commence on October 29 in the port city of Chittagong, also known as Chattogram.
Bangladesh Squad:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad
South Africa Squad:
Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne