Cricinfo: Bangladesh’s Post-Shakib Era Begins with South Africa Matchup
Cricinfo: A New Era Begins
The upcoming Test marks a pivotal moment for Bangladesh as they enter the post-Shakib era. Instead of saying farewell to their legendary all-rounder, they will focus on a fresh start against South Africa. With the government advising Shakib not to travel due to security concerns, the team faces a restructuring phase.
Coaching Changes and Preparations
Following the sacking of Chandika Hathurusinghe, Phil Simmons has been appointed as the head coach. This change comes as South Africa prepares for their first Test in Bangladesh in nearly a decade, spending considerable time training at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.
- Temba Bavuma misses the first Test due to injury, leading to Aiden Markram’s captaincy.
- South Africa is likely to introduce a debutant in their top four to compensate for Bavuma's absence.
Key Players to Watch
As Bangladesh looks to build a cohesive unit without Shakib, the focus will be on Aiden Markram and his opening partner Tony de Zorzi, while the bowling will center around Keshav Maharaj, particularly with the expected conditions of the Dhaka pitch.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.