Bangladesh players during WI Test (Source: AFP Photos)
Bangladesh have made a few important changes for their upcoming tour of South Africa. The developments came after the Tigers lost to the West Indies in a two-match Test series, that too at home.
Given that Bangladesh produced a scintillating red-ball show in Australia not long ago, it was an unfortunate result for Najmul Hossain Shanto and his boys. And for that, they decided to rectify the situation as quickly as possible before heading to South Africa.
Dale Benkenstein To Work As Bangladesh's Batting Specialist In South Africa
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday announced that former South African all-rounder Dale Benkenstein would be their batting specialist for the South Africa tour, where Tests, ODIs and T20Is will all be played.
Benkenstein's appointment came after the BCB sacked Mohammad Ashraful as batting coach ahead of the BAN vs WI Tests. After that, Mohammad Salahuddin replaced him on an interim basis.
While Ashraful will now join the Bangladesh A coaching staff, Salahuddin will return to Bangladesh’s High Performance Unit as head coach.
Important to note that Bangladesh can still have a batting coach despite the appointment of Benkenstein, who played 23 ODIs for South Africa. Besides, he played 264 First-Class matches, 300 List A matches and 99 T20s.
Malibongwe Maketa To Take Charge In Bangladesh's Fielding
In other news, BCB confirmed that Malibongwe Maketa, who recently joined as Bangladesh’s assistant coach, will serve as their fielding coach during the South Africa tour.
He will replace Ashiqur Rahman, who was there with Bangladesh’s squad for fielding department on an interim basis.
Meanwhile, Ashiqur will be with Bangladesh’s squad for the Rising Stars Emerging Cup in Qatar.
Bangladesh's tour of South Africa will begin on November 15, with two Test matches to kick off the proceedings. Johannesburg’s The Wanderers Stadium and Centurion’s SuperSport Park are scheduled to host the Tests.
After that, the two sides will play three ODIs on December 1, 4 and 7, respectively. The T20Is, meanwhile, will be on December 10, 12 and 13.
