South Africa Confirms Two-Test Tour to Bangladesh in October

Cricket South Africa has confirmed a two-Test series against Bangladesh, beginning October 21, making it the first bilateral tour post-political upheaval in Bangladesh. South Africa will undertake a security assessment and arrive in Dhaka on October 16. The first Test will be held from October 21 to 25 and the second from October 29 to November 2. South Africa currently ranks sixth in the World Test Championship standings and needs substantial victories to qualify for the final.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has formally announced that it will embark on a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, commencing on October 21. This tour is noteworthy as South Africa will become the first team to visit Bangladesh for a bilateral cricket series following the recent political turmoil that led to the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina administration. In preparation for this tour, CSA conducted a thorough security evaluation involving their Operations Manager, Team Security Manager, Safety and Security Consultant, and a representative from the South African Cricketers’ Association. Based on these assessments and an in-country inspection, CSA has granted approval for the series to proceed. The tour’s schedule indicates that the South African Test squad will arrive in Dhaka on October 16, prior to their initial match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, due to take place from October 21 to 25. Subsequently, the teams will move to Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium for the second Test, set for October 29 to November 2. Notably, South Africa currently occupies the sixth position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, having participated in six matches thus far, securing two victories while suffering three losses and one draw. To enhance their chances of qualifying for the WTC final at Lord’s next year, South Africa must achieve at least five victories in their remaining six matches.

This announcement arises in the context of significant political changes in Bangladesh, particularly following protests that culminated in the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. The safety of visiting teams in politically unstable regions is of paramount importance, prompting CSA to undertake extensive security assessments before confirming the tour. The previous Women’s T20 World Cup, initially set to be held in Bangladesh, was relocated to the UAE due to similar concerns stemming from the civil unrest.

In summary, South Africa’s upcoming tour to Bangladesh is a significant event in the cricketing calendar, marking a return to international cricket in a region recently affected by political instability. With both teams preparing for the challenges ahead, the series will not only be a test of skills but also a scrutiny of the safety arrangements made for the visiting South African team.

Original Source: sports.ndtv.com