Cricket South Africa has confirmed a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting on October 21, 2024. The decision follows a security assessment conducted in Bangladesh due to earlier political unrest. Temba Bavuma will captain the South African squad, which includes the returning Senuran Muthusamy and uncapped player Matthew Breetzke. Historically, Bangladesh has not won a Test against South Africa in 14 encounters.
Cricket South Africa has officially confirmed their upcoming tour to Bangladesh, where they will engage in a two-match Test series commencing in October. Despite previous uncertainties surrounding the tour due to political instability in Bangladesh, the series is set to commence on October 21 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Following the initial match, the teams will proceed to Chattogram for the second Test, which is scheduled to start on October 29. According to a press release from Cricket South Africa, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has cooperated in finalizing the tour arrangements, emphasizing that the series will proceed as planned. Prior to this confirmation, a South African delegation had visited Dhaka to evaluate the local security measures, with the approval for the tour following their assessment. As part of their preparations, South Africa has assembled a 15-member Test squad, which sees the return of spinner Senuran Muthusamy after a year’s absence. The South African team will be captained by Temba Bavuma during this critical series that forms part of the ICC World Test Championship. The squad includes both experienced players and the inclusion of uncapped talent Matthew Breetzke, who will make his debut. The South African coach, Shukri Conrad, acknowledged the challenging nature of touring Bangladesh, remarking on the competitive spirit that the home team has demonstrated. Historically, Bangladesh has never achieved a Test victory against South Africa in 14 encounters, with South Africa winning 12 matches and the other two resulting in draws.
This tour is particularly significant due to the evolving dynamics of international cricket in the context of political climates that can affect touring schedules. The Bangladesh cricket landscape has seen substantial growth, with the national team gaining a reputation for being formidable on their home turf. Given their past record against South Africa, where they have yet to secure a victory, this series presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Bangladesh to make a statement in the Test arena.
In summary, Cricket South Africa’s confirmation of their tour to Bangladesh highlights the resilience of international cricket even amid political uncertainty. The series promises to be a competitive engagement with significant implications for both teams as they vie for points in the ICC World Test Championship. This upcoming encounter not only marks a critical juncture for the South African squad but also represents an opportunity for Bangladesh to establish their strength against a historically dominant opponent.
Original Source: www.bssnews.net
