Bangladesh take on SA in crucial second Test tomorrow
It will be an acid Test for Bangladesh as they will take on new look South Africa in the second and final Test of the two- match series scheduled to begin tomorrow (Friday) at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein.
The match kicks off at 2 pm, according to a news agency.
After a massive 333-run defeat in the first Test, The Tigers have no other option to win the second Test to square the series.
Bangladesh showed their worst dismal batting in the first Test in Potchefstroom. After achieving their highest total in South Africa, 320, which was only six short of their highest against South Africa anywhere, they were bundled out in the second innings for their lowest against South Africa.
Their score of 90 was also the first time they have been dismissed for under 100 in a decade. If anything, they will want to set that right even though the Bloemfontein pitch is set to be more challenging, source cricket website.
Mominul Haque's 77 was the highest score by a Bangladesh batsman in Potchefstroom, and of all of them he looked the most likely to become the first among his countrymen to score a century in this country.
With a calm temperament, confidence against the short ball and his captain Mushfiqur Rahim to help him in the middle order, Mominul may be the difference between Bangladesh competing and collapsing.
Tamim Iqbal's unavailability has opened the door for Soumya Sarkar to return to the top of the order while Subashis Roy may replace Taskin Ahmed in the pace attack.
On the other hand, the host should not really want it easier but they do want groundsmen around the country to buy into the idea that when teams from the subcontinent tour, they must be presented with pace and bounce. Even though that will also ask questions of the home line-up, which has battled for consistency in the last year, it is now becoming more about the attack.
Kagiso Rabada, who will play his 22nd Test, is the most experienced bowler in the squad, with Wayne Parnell and Duanne Olivier only in possession of nine caps between them. Andile Phehlukwayo has played one Test and Dane Paterson, if he plays, will be on debut.
As much as South Africa want to show dominance, this series is also about finding a second wave of bowlers to replace the previous pack. Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel may all be back at some stage but their injury rate means South Africa need to start looking at other options and this series is the start of that search.
Squad:
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Imrul Kayes, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), 6 Sabbir Rahman, 7 Liton Das (wk), 8 Mehidy Hasan, 9 Shafiul Islam, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Subashis Roy
South Africa (probable): 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Temba Bavuma, 5 Faf du Plessis (capt), 6 Quinton de Kock (wk), 7 Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Wayne Parnell/Dane Paterson, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Duanne Olivier.
