Few pros and cons before SA Test tour

Bangladesh's last Test tour in South African soil came in 2008 when Bangladesh lost the two-Test tour 2-0.

The margin of both defeats were huge as South Africa won the first Test by an innings and 129 runs and the second Test by an innings and 48 runs. There remains some pros and cons when they visit South Africa this time around. Bangladesh were able to draw a series against the mighty Australia at home with a victory in the Dhaka test and they would like to keep the momentum going.

Bangladesh are a much changed side but have retained four members from the squad that went to tour South Africa in 2008 - Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan and captain Mushfiqur Rahim.

Captain Mushfiqur Rahman struck 48 in the first Test of the first innings at Bloemfontein when Bangladesh were all out for a meagre 153. He provided resistance on a wicket where South African pacers Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini ran riot.

Mushfiqur followed up with a 65 – this time in the second Test of the second innings at Centurion, an innings which saw the Tigers reach 250. While Bangladesh were handed innings defeat in both Tests, the experience will come in handy when Bangladesh tour South Africa this time around.

Mushfiqur would like to improve on his overall record against South Africa as the teams gear up for the upcoming series.

Tamim Iqbal is another player that would be looking to show his authority in South African pitches that favour the quicker bowlers.

He averages only 19.50 against South Africa on their home soil. Tamim, who possesses a career average of 39.65 in Tests will no doubt be itching to show just how much he has improved.

Bangladesh will however miss the services of premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. The Bangladesh all-rounder picked up 11 wickets in just two innings during the Tigers last tour of South Africa. Bangladesh will have to find a way to substantially fill the quality gap that will be left by the top all-rounder.

Bangladesh would be looking forward to Mehedi Hasan Miraz to spin his web in South Africa. The teenager is set to play his first Test series against South Africa. He has picked up 43 wickets in nine Test matches for Bangladesh – including a 19-wicket haul against England last year.

Overall, the Tigers have played the Proteas in a Test series on five occasions. In four occasions the Tigers were beaten and the last Test series in 2015 was drawn.