SA v BAN 2022 | Tamim Iqbal recovers from stomach bug; available for second Test

In a development that will be music to Bangladesh cricket fans, champion opener Tamim Iqbal is fit and available for the upcoming second Test against South Africa.

Iqbal, who led his team to a historic ODI series against the Proteas, missed the first Test in Durban due to stomach problems.

Skipper Mominul Haque gave a positive update on Tamim on Thursday, confirming that the veteran opener is in much better condition and will be available for the Port Elizabeth Test.

Tamim will most likely replace  Shadman Islam as Mahmudal Hasab Joy's second opener made himself undroppable after hammering a patient debut ton in Durban last week.

"Tamim bhai's condition is much better now, and we are hopeful he will play the next game," Mominul said as quoted by CricBuzz.

Bangladesh folded for their second-lowest score of 53 in their second inning in Durban. However, they did put up a brave fight for a significant part of the game, and Haque isn't too perturbed with the events of the final day in Durban.

"Certainly, we will play for a win and try to play good cricket for 12 to 13 sessions without paying any attention to all the noise. We don't want to overthink about what happened in the opening game," he added.

The tourists have been hamstrung with injuries to Taskin Ahmed (shoulder) and Shoriful Islam, who sustained a ligament tear in his left ankle during training sessions ahead of the Test series.

Haque said that the management is yet to decide on the team combination for the second Test.

"We are yet to decide whether we will play a seamer or a spinner in place of Taskin. Certainly, we will miss Taskin, considering he has performed since returning to Test cricket. But, at the same time, it is a big opportunity for the cricketer who will replace him in the playing XI," he said.

The second Test will take place in Port Elizabeth from April 08.