Bangladesh aim to first Test series win over South Africa

Sport Correspondent: Bangladesh started the two-match Test series against touring South Africa with the history of losing all previous eight matches, seven of them by an innings. However, a different Bangladesh, who are enjoying a great year of success in cricket, earned first Test draw against the Proteas in Chittagong.

The home side, will hope to build on the advantage they wrested during the Chittagong draw to end the recent string of successful results at home with another unprecedented outcome when they take on South Africa in the second and final Test of the two-match series at Mirpur on Thursday.

The history between these two sides has been overwhelmingly one-sided in South Africa`s favour, but the Chittagong Test - though marred by rain - was different. Having picked four bowlers instead of the usual three, Mushfiqur Rahim`s side dismissed South Africa for 248 runs in the first innings which was only the second time the Tigers bowled out the Proteas in their bilateral contests.

Bangladesh Test skipper Mushfiqur Rahim takes it as a great inspiration. “Our bowlers achieved confidence that higher ranked teams like South Africa can be bowled out if they can keep bowling in right places,” Rahim said while talking to journalists at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium after a practice session on Wednesday.  

The Bangladesh skipper sees the Test as a great scope for winning another series against the visitors and this time in the traditional format of cricket as the first match ended in a draw.

“We are in great form in recent days. This gives us confidence. If we can apply our skills rightly then the result would come in our favour, even we can win the series,” Mushfiqur Rahim added.

However, weather could be a problem for Bangladesh to show their potential in Test cricket too. Plenty of rain is forecast, but unlike in Chittagong, entire days are unlikely to be lost at Mirpur. There will be plenty of interruptions, though, which will be frustrating for the players.

Bangladesh are unlikely to make any change in playing XI for their impressive performance in Chittagong. Soumya Sarker, Nasir Hossain and Rubel Hossain could find themselves on the bench if there are no last-minute injuries.

Of the three South Africa batsmen to play all six games on tour, Quinton de Kock averages the lowest, but South Africa captain Hashim Amla indicated changes were unlikely.

Bangladesh Test Squad

Mushfiqur Rahim (Captain), Tamim Iqbal (Vice Captain), Imrul Kayes, Liton Kumar Das, Mominul Hoque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarker, Nasir Hossain, Taijul Islam, Zubaer Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Shahid and Mustafizur Rahman.

South Africa Test Squad

 Hashim Amla (c), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wk), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Simon Harmer, Reeza Hendricks, Morne Morkel, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl and    Dane Vilas (wk).

risingbd/DHAKA/July 29, 2015/Augustin Sujan