Bangladesh now aim to break Test win drought in SA
BCB
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Bangladesh have lost all six Tests over three previous tours of South Africa, including five by an innings, but broke an all-format losing streak in the country with a convincing win in a one-day series at the start of the tour.
Tamim Iqbal, who led the one-day side, hands over the captaincy to Mominul Haque but will be a key player for the tourists as an opening batter.
There will have to be at least four changes from the ODI team with Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman not part of the Test squad, while all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is not expected to be back in time for the first Test after returning home to visit ill family members.
“I always say that we play to win. We will play to win this series too. The most important thing is to follow the process. If we can control for 5 days, the result will definitely come in our favor,” Tiger skipper Mominul said in a pre-match press conference.
Bangladesh gained a shock win in the first Test against world Test champions New Zealand in January to show they can win away from home against good opposition.
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Fast bowler Ebadot Hossain was the man of the match and he will be backed up in Durban by Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, who both impressed in the one-day games against South Africa.
Mominul is expecting the A game from his pacers as he believes it’s key to perform pacer to win away Test match.
“Performing pace bowlers is important to win Test matches abroad. If they can bowl in good places, they can bring a quick breakthrough, it is very useful. And some of my pacers have played in the ODI series, they have taken a good rest in the last few days. So I think they are in a good mood,” Mominul said.
“Pace-friendly wickets do not mean that there will be no runs. A pace wicket does not mean that I went and got out. If you look at the New Zealand series, there have been runs, but the pace bowlers also get advantage and wickets. So my idea is that pace bowlers will get more wickets” he added.
However, Bangladesh were unable to follow up their success in New Zealand, however. The Black Caps hit back with an innings win in the second Test and even though it is a below-strength South African team, Bangladesh will probably have to be at their best to beat them.
Bangladesh Squad: Mominul Haque (captain), Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Litton Das (wkt), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mehidy Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Nurul Hasan, Shadman Ismail, Shohidul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed, Yasir Ali
