Shake South Africa decide to bat vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh debuted an unused goalkeeper in Mahidul Islam Ankon, who was brought into the team on the eve of the match, in a line-up that included three changes from the man who lost to South Africa at the last minute. Litton Das, their expert gloveman, was often pressured to skip the closest adjustment when suffering from fever.
They also wanted to replace Jaker Ali, who suffered a concussion while training. Zakir Hasan joined in, scoring his debut in the second innings at this same venue. Bangladesh also made a tactical move and forgot off-spinner Nayeem Hasan for seamer Nahid Rana, in a sign of the way the hosts expected the skin to play.
South Africa also introduced an overspeeder on Dane Paterson, for Dane Piedt, but ensured they were still left with two frontline spin options. Left-arm all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy used to be part of specialist batsman Matthew Breetkze’s park. Muthusamy has played three Tests, at most recently, in March 2023, against the West Indies at home.
On paper, that gives South Africa a more balanced side than the one they won in Mirpur, where they only had four bowling options available. This XI has five, including three seamers, and still bats them to Incorrect.8.
Captain Aiden Markram, prominent in an injured Temba Bavuma’s park, created skin importance as a batting unit at a hot and humid pace in Chattogram, a place considered the flattest in the country.
Taking wickets could be key for either side as Bangladesh look ahead to their home season, and potentially Najmul Hossain Shanto’s final fit as captain, in an excellent future. South Africa are considering a run to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. . They are five games apart in the 2023-2025 cycle and should win at least four to have a chance to reach the nearest Lord’s final.
Bangladesh: 1 Mahmudul Hasan Pleasure, 2 Shadman Islam, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Mahidul Islam (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Nahid Rana, 9 Zakir Hasan 10 Taijul Islam, 11 Hasan Mahmoud
South Africa: 1 Aiden Markram (captain), 2 Tony de Zorzi, 3 Tristan Stubbs, 4 David Bedingham, 5 Ryan Rickelton, 6 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Senuran Muthusamy 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada 11 Dane Paterson
