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Najmul Hossain Shanto To Play X-Factor Vs South Africa? BAN's Probable XI For 1st Test

Anurag Dasgupta

Bangladesh to take on South Africa [Source: PTI] Bangladesh to take on South Africa [Source: PTI]

After a drubbing at the hands of India in the recently concluded series, Bangladesh are all set to take on South Africa in a two-match Test series, starting on Monday, October 21 from the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka.

Even before the start of the series, controversy erupted with the inclusion of Shakib Al Hasan in the side. The Bangladesh all-rounder was accussed in a murder case, and students protested his inclusion in the side.

However, on Friday, another set of people, in support of Shakib protested against the BCB as nothing is going right for the Bangladesh side. However, this shouldn't distract them from the upcoming challenge against a strong South African side. The Proteas are still in the race for a place in the WTC finals, but will need to win their two Tests to stay in contention.

Hence, with the series beginning on Monday, we look at Bangladesh's probable XI for the first Test match.

X-Factor to be unleashed Vs SA?

With Shakib Al Hasan not playing the first Test due to security threats, Bangladesh included Hasan Murad in the side. He is a like-to-like bowling replacement for Shakib, and will be useful on the slow and low Mirpur surface.

The surface at Mirpur tends to support spinners and Bangladesh have plenty of them, hence, Najmul Hossain Shanto should game and play the X-factor against the Proteas.

No Taskin Ahmed as Bangladesh to go spin heavy

In home conditions, Bangladesh feel confident and the credit goes to their quality spinners. South Africa are a team who love pace on the ball, and hence the team management should go with a spin-heavy attack, and that would mean Taskin Ahmed's exclusion.

Both Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud have done well in recent past, and should be the two pacers included in the playing XI. The rest of the bowling should be comprised of spinners.

The batting unit should be the same that featured against India in Kanpur Test.

Bangladesh probable XI Vs South Africa

Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Murad, Nahid Rana, Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam.