Temba Bavuma’s South Africa cricket team have landed in Dhaka. The Proteas have arrived five days before the 2-match Test series kicks off in Mirpur. There was uncertainty over the tour going as planned due to civil unrest in Bangladesh. The green light for the commencement of the tour was given after extensive security checks, and now they’ve arrived.
Shakib Al Hasan’s retirement
However, that isn’t the talking point. The focus is on Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s greatest-ever cricketer, who’ll retire after the 1st Test. The all-rounder is Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker, second most-capped player, and third-highest run-scorer. After servicing Bangladesh Cricket for 17 years, he’s decided to call time on his red-ball career. “The Test Match against South Africa at Mirpur will be my last in this format,” Shakib had said last month.
He’d expressed concerns over his security in Bangladesh, fearing he might not be able to leave after returning to his nation due to an ongoing murder case against him and his ties with the previous political party in power, the Awami League. Those concerns no longer exist and he’s expected to take part in the Bangladesh vs South Africa 1st Test and hang his boots after the match.
Phil Simmons arrives in Bangladesh
Former West Indies cricketer Phil Simmons has also arrived in Bangladesh. He’ll take over as Bangladesh’s interim head coach until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Simmons comes in as the replacement for Chandika Hathurusinghe, who was suspended by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for assaulting a player and breaching his contract terms.
South Africa ready for Bangla challenge
“I think we’re properly ready. I wouldn’t swap this for anything and feel the last couple of days have been absolutely brilliant. There was proper graft put in by everyone and the okes can leave here properly prepared. I don’t think any warm-up game would have accomplished anything different from what we did here. Conditions are the only thing we’re going to have to adapt to. But, from a playing readiness perspective, we’re as ready as we’re ever going to be,” Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad said before leaving.
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