Tigers begin tough examination in SA

Bangladesh start their South Africa campaign with a three-day match against South Africa invitation XI as the team prepares for a tough examination away from home.

The Tigers are a confident bunch after winning a Test match against Australia at home and they will be looking to make their mark away from home.

The hero of the Dhaka Test, Shakib Al Hasan however is a notable absentee from the Tigers' outfit for the South Africa Test- series and captain Mushfiqur Rahim admitted that he would be hard to replace.

But he also pointed out that it is an opportunity for those who are replacing him in the side to show their mettle in foreign conditions.

Bangladesh were thwarted a chance to play cricket in the biggest venues of South Africa, Potchefstroom and Bloemfontein have only hosted one and four Test matches respectively.

The limited overs matches will be held Kimberley, Paarl, East London, Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom. Most of these venues have not seen much cricketing action.

Tigers' best result against South Africa in Test series was a draw in a rain-hit series at home back in 2015.

However, in ODI's Bangladesh beat South Africa 2-1 at home after having lost the first match in Dhaka.

A good bowling performance, specially from Mustafizur Rahman and Nasir Hossain saw Bangladesh bowl out South Africa for just 162 in the second ODI.  

Soumya Sarkar then got into his zone and smashed a 79-ball 88 to see Bangladesh reach the target in just 27.4 overs.

In the series decideing match at Chittagong, Bangladesh restricted the Proteas to just 168 for 9 in a 40-over match.

Tamim Iqbal and Soumya saw off the South African total in just 26.1 overs. Bangladesh will need their star players to perform again if they are to mount a serious challenge to the Proteas who are at home.

Mushfiqur and the boys will be hoping to adapt to the conditions during the warm-up match against the invitation XI.

"All the boys are looking forward to the series and we have a couple of days to prepare for the tour match before the first Test in Potchefstroom.

"Hopefully we can put on a great show," the skipper concluded.

TEST SQUAD

Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt/wkt), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Liton Das (wkt), Mehidi Hasan, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Subashis Roy, Mominul Haque

Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha (SRI)

ITINERARY

Sept

21-23: SA Invitation XI, Benoni

28-Oct 2: First Test, Potchefstroom

Oct

6-10: Second Test, Bloemfontein

12: SA Invitation XI, Bloemfontein

15: First ODI, Kimberley

18: Second ODI, Paarl

22: Third ODI, East London

26: First T20, Bloemfontein

29: Second T20, Potchefstroom