Bangladesh vs South Africa 2024: Match Preview, 1st Test

The hosts Bangladesh are all set to host South Africa for a two-match Test series, with the first Test all set to commence at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Monday, October 21. 

The game was supposed to have a greater significance for being the farewell encounter for the veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. However, safety concerns and ongoing political unrests against Shakib's favour have forced the the star cricketer to be unavailable. The Bangla Tigers still must be hurting after their recent whitewash against India, but a fresh start against the rainbow nation is all what they would be thinking about.

As for the Proteas, they have had a bit of a mixed experience when it comes to the red-ball game this year. In the four Tests they have played on the road, the first two against New Zealand saw them getting convincingly defeated with a second-string squad they had sent for the tour. The more recent of the two Tests which came against the West Indies saw South Africa adapt to the conditions pretty well. With full-time skipper, Temba Bavuma, having been ruled out due to a muscle strain in his left triceps, Aiden Markram will be leading the side for the Test.  

Also Read: Legendary Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed joins Bangladesh team as spin consultant

Match Details

Also Check: Bangladesh vs South Africa 2024 Schedule

Pitch Report

Generally, the pitch favors batters early on, offering good bounce and pace. The live grass on the track may make for some tricky phases for batters in the morning session of the first couple of days. The track tends to slow down, providing assistance to spinners in the final days of the game.

Head-to-Head Record

Probable Playing XIs

Bangladesh

With left-arm spinner, Murad Hasan, coming into the mix in the place of Shakib, it seems as if Bangladesh would go with the rest of the squad being the same as the one featured in Kanpur.

Predicted XI: Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Murad Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed

Also Check: Bangladesh vs South Africa 2024 Squads

South Africa

Markram will be expected to lead the line for his side with South Africa likely to go in with Lungi Ngidi instead of Dewald Brewis to add that extra impetus in their pace-bowling department.

Predicted XI: Aiden Markram (c), Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickleton, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Piedt, Lungi Ngidi