Bangladesh vs South Africa 2024: Top 3 Players to watch out for in upcoming Test series. (Photo Source: Getty Images)
South Africa is all set to face Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, starting on Monday, October 21, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Meanwhile, the second Test gets underway on October 29. This is going to be the start of Bangladesh’s post-Shakib Al Hasan era in the longest format of the game. Meanwhile, South Africa will be playing their first Test in Bangladesh in nine years.
The hosts produced a magnificent result on their tour of Pakistan in August-September. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s men became the first Bangladeshi side to win a Test match against Pakistan. They went on to whitewash the Shan Masood-led side 2-0. Later, they went on to face India in a two-match Test series and started the first Test positively but India came back strongly and managed to complete a clean sweep. The Bangla Tigers will want to get back to winning ways with an upset over the Proteas.
Meanwhile, South Africa played two Test matches recently in the Caribbean against the West Indies. Their squad had a fine balance of experienced campaigners and talented youngsters. The first Test in Port of Spain ended in a draw but the tourists emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter in Guyana by 40 runs to take the series 1-0. The conditions will be challenging for the Proteas as they are not used to the spin-friendly wickets which are expected to greet the two teams during the Test series. However, they have enough potential on their side to come up with trumps.
Here are the top three players to watch out for in the BAN vs SA Test series:
3. Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram will have an important role to play in the series not just with the bat but also with the ball. Bangladesh’s top four batters in the series against India were left-handers and the trend could continue in this series as well. Markram’s off-spin could be crucial against them.
He will be leading the side in the first Test in the absence of regular captain Temba Bavuma. The added responsibility should bring the best out of Markram. He has an excellent record with the bat against Bangladesh as he has scored 255 runs from three innings, with one fifty and one century. However, he will be up against them on Bangladeshi soil for the first time in the forthcoming series.
Markram’s averages in India and Sri Lanka are 11 and 10, respectively. However, in Pakistan, where the conditions are better for batting, the right-handed batter averages 56.75. He has played four Test innings in each of the three aforementioned countries. Markram has improved his batting against spinners in recent times and that will come in handy for him on this tour.
2. Mominul Haque
Mominul Haque is the leading run-getter for Bangladesh in 2024. He has registered one century and three half-centuries so far. The three-figure score came against India last month in Kanpur when he scored an unbeaten 107.
Mominul is a good player of spin and can be difficult to dislodge once he gets his eye in. The southpaw will be high on confidence after his century against the mighty Indian team. The former Bangladesh captain’s form at the top of the order will be key for Bangladesh.
The 33-year-old is also the most experienced player in the side after Mushfiqur Rahim. He will look to use all his experience against the South African bowlers, who will be led by stalwarts like Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada.
Also Check: Bangladesh vs South Africa 2024: Match Preview, 1st Test
1. Mehidy Hasan Miraz
In the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz will have to play an important role as the premier spin-bowling all-rounder in the Bangladesh side. He was the Player of the Series against Pakistan after scoring 155 runs at 77.50 and picking up 10 wickets at 18.60 in the two Tests.
Mehidy can bowl with the new ball if the conditions are suitable. He can go for wickets and also play the holding role if needed. Mehidy’s versatility makes him the perfect foil for Taijul Islam, who is expected to play a vital role in this series.
Mehidy has picked up 102 wickets from 23 Tests in Bangladesh at an average of 25.78. He has seven five-wicket hauls to his name. Meanwhile, with the bat, he is averaging 28.14, needing just 15 runs to get to 1,000 runs in the format.