Tigers look to begin post-Shakib era on winning note

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 today's (Monday) first Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city, reports AFP.

The two-Test series is the first international cricket fixture in Bangladesh since a student-led revolution toppled autocratic premier Sheikh Hasina in August.

The series carries points towards the World Test Championship (WTC), with the final in England next year. South Africa currently are 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 was also a former lawmaker in the government ousted by the revolution, and his links to Hasina have made him a target of public anger.

"It will only be a waste of time if we think too much about this, since we cannot control it," Najmul told reporters Sunday, on the eve of the match at Mirpur, near the capital Dhaka.

"These two Tests are very important to us... Players are preparing and focusing on cricket only."

Stand-in skipper Aiden Markram said the South Africans were acclimatising to the "nice, hot and sweaty" conditions in Dhaka, but said there was little relief at the news they would not be facing Shakib.

"Ultimately, they've still got a really strong squad, and really strong in their home conditions as well," Markram told reporters.

Bangladesh's super spin-friendly wickets will be an added "exciting challenge", he said.

"The spin is a big talking point, especially being from South Africa," he said. "We don't get conditions like that at home."

Bangladesh will start the series with a stand in-coach, Phil Simmons, after Chandika Hathurusingha was suspended on Tuesday for alleged misconduct, charges he denies.