Heavy image: an unused rhythm for Bangladesh
Meanwhile, South Africa is quietly preparing for its first Test in Bangladesh in nine years. To counter their lack of experience in Bangladesh, the visitors spend long hours in the nets of the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada are the only survivors of their last trip to Bangladesh, when drizzle forced them to bypass both Assessments. Bavuma will sit out the first test due to a bruised elbow, meaning Aiden Markram leads the team. South Africa are likely to have at least one debutant from their front four to replace Bavuma. T20 big name Dewald Brevis could be the only step forward.
Bangladesh already have three frontline spinners, before including left-arm spinner Hasan Murad in Shakib’s park. At least three are likely to play in Dhaka, which could lose them in the situation of playing four- or five-player games. Of course, there is no recognizable option for Shakib, but Bangladesh will hope to pick a balanced XI soon.
Mode information
Bangladesh LLWWL (last 5 reviews, most updated first)
South Africa WDLLL
In the highlights: Hasan Mahmud and David Bedingham
Hasan Mahmud has made a promising start to his Test career. The lean medium pacer bowls ruthless series and dimension on a dime in the open. Mahmud, who debuted earlier this year, has already taken five-wicket hauls in Pakistan and the Republic of India. His 20 wickets in five overs are the most efficient start for a Bangladesh fast bowler. A home Test is always a challenge, especially at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, but Mahmud’s discipline will come in handy.
Pristine after a powerful county season for Durham, David Bedingham He faces an unused challenge: playing in the subcontinent for the first hour. That means the modern middle-order batsman will take on the best spinners. It could be a remarkable outing for the 30-year-old who has just six Tests under his belt.
Group information: Brevis could debut; Bangladesh consider 5 bowlers
Having five specialist bowlers would mean Bangladesh ruthlessly selling Mehidy Hasan Miraz to Incorrect Five. The other option would be to lose some of the pacers and bring in Jaker Ali to make his debut in the middle order.
Bangladesh XI (possible): 1 Zakir Hasan, 2 Shadman Islam, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 7 Litton Das (wk), 8 Nayeem Hasan, 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Hasan Mahmud
Temba Bavuma’s surprise could simply mean Dewald Brevis debuts in Incorrect 4. South Africa have spawn options, but left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy could replace the injured Nandre Burger.
South Africa (possible): 1 Aiden Markram (captain), 2 Tony de Zorzi, 3 Tristan Stubbs, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 David Bedingham, 6 Kyle Verreynne (week), 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Senuran Muthusamy, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Dane piedt
Sound and states: Has Dhaka’s tone taken a step forward?
The ICC rated Dhaka’s tone as unsatisfactory in its previous test in December last year, and it remains to be seen whether curator Gamini Silva has installed the works in the past ten months. Some drizzle is expected from the 3rd date.
Statistics and minutiae
Quotes
“We don’t think about the outside noise. We are focused on the game. We haven’t won against South Africa before, so this is a great opportunity for our team and the fact that we are playing at home.”
bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto given the distractions that the Dhaka Test forward team is going through.
“We’ve been here for a few days and it’s been nice and hot and sweaty. It’s been nice to get used to that again. Condition-wise, it’s pretty much what we expected and the facilities have been really good.” “The hotel has been fantastic. The people have been very helpful to us. So we’ve enjoyed our first few days here and from a cricketing point of view.”
South Africa captain Aiden Markram about the duration of his preparation in Bangladesh before the Dhaka test.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo correspondent in Bangladesh. @isam84
