After winning the limited-overs series, the Bangladesh team was hoping to carry the momentum into the longer-version format against a less-strong South African side. However, their effort in the first Test was dashed as the team tigers’ batters choked severely against the Proteas spinners in the second innings on the fifth day. Senior batters need to step up if the visitors want to upset the hosts in the second match. The second match preview of SA vs BAN 2022 is discussed in this article.
Second Match Preview of the 2022 South Africa-Bangladesh Test Series
Two of Bangladesh’s premier pacers—Takin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam—will miss the series finale match due to fitness issues. Therefore, one change is confirmed for the next match. Bangladesh’s playing XI may include one more spinner. On the other hand, South Africa’s playing XI may remain unchanged for the second Test as they want to keep the winning combination intact. The second match of the SA vs BAN 2022 series will be played at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, with a scheduled start time of 2 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time).
Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s biggest challenge in the contest would be to bat well in the second innings. Bangladesh had a decent chance in the first Test when they came out to bat to chase 274 runs in the final session on day four. But Bangladesh’s batters were clueless against the South Africans’ jubilant spinners. In particular, the senior batters didn’t perform well with the bat, which put huge pressure on the middle orders. The Bangladesh team will be hoping for a strong showing in the batting department in the second match.
Bangladesh team management made a mistake by not picking an additional spinner in the playing XI in the first match. Therefore, the selection of left-arm spinner Taijul Islam in the second match is a genuine possibility.
Probable playing XI
Top Order: Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Middle-Orders: Mominul Haque (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (Wicket-Keeper), Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Lower-Order: Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed
South Africa
The South African side is missing some of their main Test players in this series. However, their absence had little impact on the contest, as they easily defeated Bangladesh in the opening match and seized a 1-0 lead in the series. The South African team management is hoping that their team will keep up the momentum in the second match and will whitewash the Bangladesh side to clinch the series 2-0.
Probable Playing XI
Top Order: Dean Elgar (captain), Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Middle Orders: Temba Bavuma, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne (Wicket-Keeper), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Lower Order: Simon Harmer, Lizard Williams, Duanne Olivier
Weather Forecast and Pitch Report
There is a possibility of rain on day one of the match, but the rest of the days are likely to remain sunny and a bit cloudy. However, there will be severe wind in Port Elizabeth and the Bangladesh players, especially the bowlers, need to adapt to the conditions. Bowlers have to be creative on this surface to put pressure on the opposition’s batting line-up. Therefore, the toss would be a crucial factor in this contest.
Bottom Line
After clinching the first match, South Africa’s team will start the second match as favourites. The unfamiliar Port Elizabeth atmosphere may cause some trouble for Bangladesh players, while South African players know the conditions very well. The Proteas coaching setup can help Bangladesh take the right decisions during and before the match. Captain Mominul Haque has to be brave enough in his decision-making because he was criticized for some of his bad decisions during the opening match of the series. Bangladesh’s chances in the match will be determined largely by how they respond to South Africa’s first innings, as well as how much pressure the bowling unit can put on the Proteas batting line-up. Hopefully, the SA vs BAN 2022 Test series will end with a nicely-contested match.
Source: United News of Bangladesh