Bangladesh- South Africa Series
Markram says Bangladesh still a strong side sans Shakib
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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 Al Hasan.
"He [Shakib] is a World Class player and he’s proved it over many years. So it’s a bit of relief that we don’t have to come across him. But we haven’t put too much focus on the fact. 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. We don't get conditions like that at home."
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.