BAN vs SA: Bangladesh Focus on South Africa Challenge Amid Shakib's Absence and New Coaching Staff

Bangladesh’s captain Najmul Hossain Shanto addresses a press conference on the eve of their first Test cricket match against South Africa at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said his men were focused on the challenge of South Africa rather than their missing all-rounder Shakib al Hasan ahead of Monday’s first Test in Mirpur.

The two-Test series is the first international cricket fixture in Bangladesh since a student-led revolution toppled the autocratic premier.The series carries points towards the World Test Championship (WTC), with the final in England next year. South Africa currently is sixth in the standings with Bangladesh seventh.

Bangladesh called up uncapped left-arm spinner Hasan Murad to replace retiring Shakib after security fears led the former captain to cancel plans to return home.

Shakib announced his retirement from international cricket last month but said that he wanted to play one last red-ball series at home.But the 37-year-old is also an ex-lawmaker in a government ousted by a revolution, and his links to Bangladesh’s former premier have made him a target of public anger.