Ace Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib-Al-Hasan is likley to miss the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa, scheduled to be held in March-April.
As per reports, the all-rounder will be available for the three-match ODI series against host South Africa but will later join the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) if he is acquired by any of the ten franchise.
Notably, the 15 edition of the cash-rich league will begin from March 27.
“Shakib will certainly play the ODIs against South Africa and though he did not say anything regarding his availability for the Test series, he informed that he will be available for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka,” Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) cricket operation chairman Jalal Yunus was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz on Wednesday (February 9).
Earlier, the Bangladesh board had informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that Shakib will miss the IPL from May 8 to 23 as Bangladesh are then to play two Tests against Sri Lanka. The test series will be a part of the ICC Test Championship.
Earlier on Wednesday, Cricket South Africa (CSA) had was announced that Bangladesh will be touring South Africa for three ODIs and two Tests in March.
The matches will be played between March 18 to April 12 across four venues. While the SuperSport Park will host the first and the third ODI of the series, the Imperial Wanderers will be the venue for the second match of the series.
The two teams will then move to Durban for the Test series. While Kingsmead will host the first Test from March 31, St. George’s Park Cricket Ground in Gqeberha will host the second and final Test from April 8.
“Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce the finalised dates and venues for the Proteas men’s inbound tour against Bangladesh. The tour will consist of a three-match, Betway One-Day International and two-match, Betway Test series across four venues from 18 March to 12 April 2022,” the CSA said in a statement.
The tour is of great significance for the hosts, as both series count for vital points in the ICC Cricket
World Cup Super League and the ICC World Test Championship.
A Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) official said the tourists are expected to stay in Johannesburg during the tour.
After hosting the Bangla Tigers, South Africa’s next international commitment will be a away series with India. South Africa will be touring India for a five-match T20I rubber in June, which will be after the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The five matches of the T20I series will be held on June 9 (MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai), June 12 (M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru), June 14 (Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur), June 17 (Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, Rajkot) and June 19 (Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi).
Bangladesh Tour of South Africa Schedule:
1st ODI – Friday, March 18 13:00 Local Time, SuperSport Park, Centurion
2nd ODI – Sunday, March 20, 10:00 Local Time, Imperial Wanderers, Johannesburg
3rd ODI – Wednesday, March 23 13:00 Local Time, SuperSport Park, Centurion
1st Test – Thursday, March 31 – April 4, 100 AM Local Time Kingsmead, Durban
2nd Test – Friday, April 8 -12, 10:00 AM Local Time, St. George’s Park Cricket Ground, Gqeberha