What To Expect From Day 1 Of BAN vs SA 2nd Test In Chattogram?

Bhargav Dixit

South Africa celebrate a wicket (Source: @ICC/X)South Africa celebrate a wicket (Source: @ICC/X)

The second Test match of the ongoing South Africa’s tour of Bangladesh will kick-start in Chattogram tomorrow onward. With the visitors ending their decade-long losing streak in Asia by winning the first Mirpur Test by 7 wickets, another victory will see them winning a Test series in Bangladesh after 16 years.

Having not won a single home Test in the last 11 months, Bangladesh would want to put an end to a four-match losing streak. Bangladesh, who have never won a Test series against the Proteas, will still not be able to do so. Having said that, a victory this week will register their second drawn Test series against this opposition.

Fans can expect the following things to happen on the first day of the match:

Toss Prediction: Bat First Likely To Be The Approach

Out of the previous 24 Tests played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, 10 matches have been won by the team batting first as compared to seven victories by the team batting second.

For a venue which is known for its strong inclination towards spin-bowling, it isn’t surprising to note that winning becomes comparatively difficult while batting in the fourth innings. As was the case in the last match, expect the captain winning the toss to bat first.

All Eyes On Najmul Hossain Shanto

The Bangladeshi team management successfully managed to hide captain Najmul Hossain Shanto from the media on the eve of the match. The same was presumably done to save him from multiple questions around his wish to step down as a captain after this series.

No one, however, will be able to save Shanto from the public glare on the days of the match. If he never walks out for the toss in the future, it is needless to say that Bangladesh would want to gift Shanto a win in his farewell Test as captain.

With Bangladesh winning three out of nine Tests under Shanto, his win percentage of 33.33% is the highest among all Bangladeshi captains who have led the team more than once in Test cricket. A dream ending to a brief captaincy stint will see Shanto joining former captain Shakib Al Hasan at the second spot in the list of most Test wins as a Bangladeshi captain.

Spin To Win?

With spin playing a decisive part in international matches played in Asia this month, there is no reason for Bangladesh to not attempt to find a cushion in the genre especially whilst trailing in a home Test series.

Bangladesh spinner Nayeem Hasan, who failed to pick a wicket across the 20 overs that he bowled at the Shere Bangla Stadium, validated the notion of “spin to win” during a media interaction on Sunday.

"I haven't seen the wicket yet, but if it's spin-friendly, there will be spin. Our pitch here usually offers slower spin, which is good for us. The slow nature can also help our spin unit because they can bowl faster, above 90 [kmph],” Hasan said yesterday.

If the 24-year old player is to be believed, such a surface will not only aid their spinners but also assist their batters who are quite accustomed to facing spin here.

Moreover, Nayeem also hinted at some grass being left on the pitch to keep the pacers in the contest. As a result, don’t be surprised if teams add another pacer to their combination.

Who Have Been The Top Performers in Chattogram?

Former Bangladesh captains Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque are the two highest run-scorers in Chattogram Tests. Among the four batters to have amassed in excess of 1,000 runs at this stadium, there is no reason why they can’t step up in this match.

Similarly, Bangladeshi spin trio of Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nayeem are among the top five bowlers in this format here. Therefore, expect them to repeat their feats in the second Test.

Bangladesh, however, haven’t won a Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium since 2018 – losing five and drawing two matches since then.

South Africa, on the other hand, had won and drawn their Chattogram Tests in 2008 and 2015 respectively. That said, with captain Temba Bavuma ruled out of the second Test as well, no one from the current squad has participated in a Chattogram Test in the past. Barring pacer Kagiso Rabada, who has played a lone ODI here, no other current South African cricketer has even played a white-ball international at this venue.

How Many Runs Will Be Scored On Day 1?

While it is impossible to make an exact guess, readers must note that the average first innings total at this venue in this format is 379.83. Additionally, the average run rate here is 3.23.

Assuming a full 90 overs are bowled on the first day, expect the team batting first to score in vicinity of 300 runs.