DHAKA, Oct 20, 2024 (BSS)-South Africa captain Aiden Markram vowed to change 
their dismal record on sub-continent as they face off Bangladesh in the first 
cricket Test, starting tomorrow (Monday) at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket 
Stadium.

The Proteas haven't won any Test in sub-continent for the last 10 years and 
their last two-match Test series in Bangladesh in 2015, ended in a draw, 
albeit courtesy to inclement weather.'

"As a team, you always want to be quietly confident and you want to be 
positive and upbeat that you can win games of cricket regardless where you 
are in the world. We felt like we have good skills that can compete here in 
the sub-continent so like I have mentioned you have to do that for hours to 
earn a positive result in Test cricket," Markram who is leading the side in 
the first Test, in absence of injured Temba Bavuma said here today. 

"It doesn't happen as quickly as in white-ball cricket. Definitely backing 
the squad that we have here to get the positive results and backing the 
skills that we have in the changed room."

The fact is that South Africa's aspiration to win looked gloomy again due to 
their inexperienced squad, in which, no one has the experience to play a Test 
in Bangladesh. Moreover their shortcomings against quality spin attack is 
well documented and Bangladesh spinners over the years proved how dangerous 
they could be if the pitch assist them.

Even though there is no Shakib Al Hasan in the team, the likes of Taijul 
Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz could be enough to derail South African on 
favourable wicket.

But Markram put a brave face, saying that his inexperienced squad is ready to 
take the challenge.

"For sure, spin obviously is a big talking point especially from being South 
Africa. We don't get such condition like this on home soil. It's exciting 
challenge for us to face especially as a team that's relatively young and 
doesn't play too many Test matches," he said.

"It's just an exciting thing as a player to be exposed to new conditions and 
learn most of the stuff that we love and take the lessons with us and looking 
forward into the next Test match and also into future sub-continent tours. 
It's a fantastic opportunity for us as a team and like I have mentioned we 
are thoroughly looking forward to it.

Even though Shakib Al Hasan's absence is a relief for South Africa, Markram 
said without Shakib, Bangladesh are still a strong opposition at home.

"He (Shakib) is a world-class player of course and he has played for many 
years. It's very good thing that we don't have come across him and face him 
and bowl to him as well," he remarked.

"Obviously his experience in the Bangladesh changed room I assumed to be 
massive importance as well. We haven't had focused too much on the fact he is 
not here, because like I have mentioned they still have a really strong 
squad."