DHAKA, March 30, 2022 (BSS)-Emboldened by their first ever series victory
in ODI format, Bangladesh are oozing with confidence to change their abysmal
longer version format record in South Africa when they take on the hosts for
the opening match of the two-match Test series at Kingsmead in Durban
tomorrow (Thursday).
The match starts at 2 PM (Bangladesh Time). This will be the first Test
between the two sides after 2017.
The two teams so far played 12 matches with South Africa winning 10. The
two-match Test series in Bangladesh in 2015 ended in a draw after rain washed
out both of the matches. But of the 10 defeats, Bangladesh's eight defeats
came by an innings margin.
Out of the 12 matches, Bangladesh played six Test matches in South Africa
and lost all of them. The five defeats came by innings margin and in the only
game, in which they avoided the innings defeat, they lost by 333 runs margin.
The state itself proved how vulnerable they are on South African soil.
For overall stat: The Tigers so far played 128 Test matches, won just 16
and lost 95, of which 45 defeats came by an innings margin. The rest of the
17 Tests were drawn.
Bangladesh's record on South African soil in fact is worse than in New
Zealand, where they had recently ended the Test win drought. So that was
another source of confidence that when they could breach the New Zealand
fortress, they will be able to change their record in South Africa also.
In fact, buoyed by the Test victory against New Zealand, Bangladesh played
the ODI series in South African and won it by 2-1.
It was also the best chance for Bangladesh to snap winless streak in Test
format. The hosts will be without their entire first-choice pace attack -
comprising Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen - as well as batters
Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen as they chose the IPL over the Test
series. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje once again missed out on selection with a
longstanding back and hip issue.
But no matter what the team South Africa is fielding, Bangladesh's
confidence stemmed from their victory on New Zealand soil, where they beat a
full strength side. Even in the ODI series, Bangladesh crushed a full
strength South African side to make a huge statement.
Bangladesh will miss the service of Shakib Al Hasan at least in the first
Test as he returned to the country to be with his ailing family. But it
should be a little matter for the Tigers who won the Test in New Zealand even
without the service of Shakib and Tamim Iqbal.
However, ODI captain Tamim Iqbal is back in Test format after recovering
from his injury and will play his first Test for the country since May 2021.
"I think the Test series will be more challenging," Shakib said. "For five
to seven years, we have been a good ODI unit, and we all know that in ODIs we
play cricket on true wickets and whoever does well will win the game. In Test
teams take advantage of their condition but as some of their main players are
missing we can be hopeful."
South Africa could field as many as four debutantes - Ryan Rickleton,
Khaya Zondo, Lizaad Williams and Daryn Dupavillon - and a severely
inexperienced pace attack. But their captain Dean Elgar believes some of them
will take the opportunity to make a big statement.
Bangladesh looked a settled unit in Test for the first time in their
history. But they have to make one change to accommodate Tamim Iqbal from the
squad that won a Test in New Zealand and eventually drew the two-match
series.
Squad
Bangladesh: Mominul Haque (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy,
Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das (wk),
Yasir Ali, Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Ebadot
Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Shohidul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shadman Islam, Nurul
Hasan
South Africa: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma (vice-captain), Daryn
Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Duanne
Olivier, Keegan Petersen, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman,
Kyle Verreynne (wk), Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo
