Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said that it is unfortunate that Shakib Al Hasan cannot play the Test series against South Africa starting on October 21 in Dhaka. Bangladesh's interim government advised Shakib, who was a member of the government toppled by a student-citizen movement in August, not to come to the country now due to the security threat posed by the protesters. Bangladesh's new coach urges Tigers to focus on cricket amid chaos “It’s unfortunate,” Shanto said about Shakib’s absence in the Dhaka Test, which he said would be his last appearance in the longer format of the game. “It should have happened. But we all know why it didn't happen.” The Bangladesh captain also said they are now focusing solely on cricket. “I would say that it was unfortunate, it should have happened (Shakib’s participation in the Dhaka Test). But we all know why it didn't happen. But we don’t want to talk much about it before a Test match. I want everyone to focus on cricket.” Bangladesh captain also said it is difficult for Bangladesh to set up a combination when Shakib is not available. Anger against Shakib not unwarranted: Asif Nazrul “We can use an extra bowler or batter (when Shakib plays). But we cannot do anything talking about it much. What we can do is to focus on cricket,” Shanto added. Bangladesh played 14 Tests against the Proteas but never won. But this time, Shanto says, the result can be changed if they can play according to plan and execute their game well on the field.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) added Hasan Murad to the Test squad for the first match of the two-Test series against South Africa, starting on October 21. Hasan Murad, a left-arm spinner, replaces Shakib Al Hasan, who could not return home to play the match in Dhaka due to concerns for his safety from public anger. BCB terminates Hathurusinghe's contract; appoints Phil Simmons head coach Shakib was a member of the previous government toppled by the student movement in August. The 23-year-old Murad has taken 136 wickets in 30 first class matches since his debut in 2021. “We have been informed that Shakib is unavailable for the first Test,” Chairman BCB Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the chairman of the BCB selection committee, said. “He is at the end of his Test career, but along with his experience, we still do not have someone of that calibre with both bat and the ball to replace him.” He also added that Hasan Murad’s first-class history indicates that he can do well at home as a spinner. ‘Wished for Shakib’s retirement on home soil': Adviser Asif Bangladesh squad for Dhaka Test vs South Africa: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (WK), Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad,

England selected an all-pace attack in the opening test in South Africa and chose to bowl first at SuperSport Park on Thursday.