South Africa on Thursday called up batter Khaya Zondo to their Test team for a two-match series against Bangladesh but have been forced to name a weakened 15-man squad.

Bangladesh ODI captain Tamim Iqbal informed his troops, including star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, are eager to rise above the challenges against hosts South Africa as the bilateral three-match ODI series begins tomorrow in Centurion.

“He balances our team,” Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo was full of praise for Shakib Al Hasan after the team’s practice session at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg today.

South Africa are likely to field a weakened squad for the two home Tests against Bangladesh starting March 18, with all their Test players part of various franchises choosing to go to the IPL.

Bangladesh men’s cricket team made a giant leap in their cricket fortunes more than two decades ago when they defeated Pakistan at Northampton in the 1999 cricket World Cup. Former national captain Mohammad Ashraful likened the Tigresses’ victory against Pakistan today to that match in 1999 and was hopeful that bigger achievements will follow the women’s team’s triumph if their domestic cricketing structure is taken care of.

Against the backdrop of a historic Test win at Mount Maunganui against New Zealand earlier this year, there was a sense of growing self-belief among the Tigers as they traveled to South Africa for a three-match ODI and two-match Test series.

Leading all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was finally on his way to join his teammates in South Africa as Bangladesh are set to play a three-match ODI series and a two-match Test series in challenging conditions starting from March 18.

The merry-go-round featuring Shakib Al Hasan and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) came to a stop yesterday as the star all-rounder confirmed his availability for the upcoming tour of South Africa. The 34-year-old added that any decisions regarding resting players would be taken by the BCB and that he would travel to South Africa tonight.

Bangladesh cricket set a unique example in regards to dealing with a player’s mental health. When a player wants to skip an international commitment citing a mental health issue, it deserves utmost attention and the highest levels of sensitivity.

Bangladesh's premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan confirmed his availability for the tour of South Africa, adding that any decisions regarding resting players would be taken by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

With the aim to turn fortunes around in South Africa, where Bangladesh are yet to register a win across all formats, majority of the Tigers departed for their African safari yesterday.

Bangladesh ODI squad were headed for a challenging South Africa tour as the Tigers contingent departed from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka today.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) selector Abdur Razzak mentioned that it is not easy for the board to keep Shakib Al Hasan out of consideration for any specific format despite all the fuss surrounding the all-rounder’s availability for all formats of the game.   

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has seen the ups and downs of career since making his international debut in 2014.

Bangladesh are gearing up for their tour to South Africa with the ODIs to begin from March 18 before the Test series commences from March 31. Having never won a match on South African soil, the Tigers face a similar challenge to the one they faced in New Zealand just recently this year. The win at Mount Maunganui Test however gave the team confidence and the pacers were the Tigers’ main weapon that game in terms of overcoming the odds. Pacer Taskin Ahmed was keen on improving further as an unit while talking to the media today.

“As you know before leaving for Dubai he said that he is mentally and physically fatigued and stressed. He called me and said that he is not enjoying any form of cricket.

Despite there being no official practice session for the national team at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium yesterday, the media present was

Although the BCB has granted Shakib a leave from all formats till April 30, Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, a very trusted man among the country’s leading cricketers

Will the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Shakib Al Hasan be able to reach a respectable long-term solution to the ongoing chaos?

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has asked for a break and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has granted him a break from cricket till April 30, BCB cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus informed the media today.