DHAKA, Oct 17, 2024 (BSS)— Just a day after reaching Dhaka, South Africa kicked off its practice session for the first Test match against Bangladesh, starting on October 21 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur.

The South Africa team got some fitness drill before starting their original practice session as they prepared them to cope with the condition of Bangladesh.

This is the Proteas first tour in Bangladesh for Test series since 2015. In their last Test tour, both of the Tests were drawn, largely due to the rain and inclement weather.

However, no one from that tour survived this time, meaning South Africa would have to field a squad, from which, none has the experience to play Test match on Bangladesh soil.

Current Test team captain Temba Bavuma was part of the squad last time when they toured Bangladesh but he has already been ruled out of the first Test due to injury.

Aiden Markram will lead the side in the opening Test before Bavuma takes the charge for the final Test.

The South Africa started the practice at a time when Bangladesh cricket is going through a tumultuous period. 

While the national team had a horrible series in India, BCB, a couple of days ago, sacked Chandika Hathurusingha as head coach and named Phil Simmons as his replacement. 

Also there was uncertainty over Shakib Al Hasan’s return to the country. The first Bangladesh-South Africa Test was supposed to be Shakib’s Test swansong and he was scheduled to be in the side’s practice session tomorrow. 

Shakib, a former lawmaker of ousted Awami League government, boarded a flight to reach Dubai on his way to Bangladesh but due to security threat, he later returned to the USA today.

South Africa Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.