Bangladesh have announced their squad for the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa starting Monday, October 21 in Mirpur, Dhaka. Apart from pacer Khalid Ahmed, who has been omitted, Bangladesh have largely retained the whole squad that played two Test matches against Bangladesh last month. Shakib Al Hasan has been included in the squad for the Test, which will be his final one for Bangladesh as the veteran all-rounder has been granted his wish.
Shakib mentioned before the second Test against India in Kanpur that if he is assured security, he'd like the Mirpur Test in front of the home fans to be his last and it seems that request will be fulfilled in the series opener.
The rest of the squad has been retained from the 2-0 series loss to India. Bangladesh stunned many by winning the two-match Test series against Pakistan, only the second away series win for the side. However, all the confidence and momentum came spiralling down against the quality Indian side.
Bangladesh will feel confident going back home, however, South Africa are coming off an away series win against the West Indies and despite having not played a series in Bangladesh for 21 years, the Proteas will be quietly confident regarding their resources to come good in the sub-continent conditions.
Bangladesh may be out of the World Test Championship (WTC) final race but South Africa still are very much in the hunt with five wins needed out of their last six matches. The series begins on October 21 in Mirpur with the second to be held in Chattogram from October 29.
Bangladesh squad for first Test against South Africa: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman lslam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana
