![Bangladesh's predicted playing XI. [Source - AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794652401228_BangladeshPredictedPlayingXIvsSA.webp)
Bangladesh's predicted playing XI. [Source - AFP]
Bangladesh and South Africa will square off against each other in the first Test of the two-match series at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday, November 15. The match will get underway at 1:30 PM IST.
Bangladesh head into the series on the back of a 1-0 Test series defeat at home against West Indies. Meanwhile, South Africa will be high on confidence after securing a 2-1 series victory over Australia at home.
With a strong Test squad, Bangladesh will be keen to put their recent struggles behind them and challenge South Africa in their own backyard. Here's a look at Bangladesh's predicted playing XI against South Africa for the 1st Test.
Openers and Top Order: Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mahfijul Islam, Mominul Haque
Tanzid Hasan Tamim is expected to open for Bangladesh. He scored a heroic century against Australia in Darwin earlier this year and has 298 Test runs in 2026 at an average of 24.83.
Mahfijul Islam, the 22-year-old is expected to make his Test debut. He has scored 672 runs at 74.67 in five matches at Bangladesh's domestic first-class competition, including three centuries and an unbeaten double hundred.
Mominul Haque is likely to bat at number three in Bangladesh's predicted playing XI vs South Africa. He has scored over 400 Test runs this year at an average of 36.16, including three half-centuries.
Middle Order and All-rounders: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead Bangladesh and bat at number four. He is their leading Test run-scorer this year with 568 runs at 37.86, including one century and three half-centuries.
Mushfiqur Rahim is expected to be Bangladesh's middle-order mainstay at number five. The veteran is Bangladesh's second-highest Test run-scorer this year with 530 runs at 44.16, although he averages just 19.81 against South Africa.
Towhid Hridoy, who smashed an unbeaten 242 and scored 82 in the last Test against the West Indies, is expected to retain his place and bat at 6 in Bangladesh's playing XI for the first Test against South Africa.
Litton Das, despite his recent injury concerns will take the gloves and bat at number 7. He is Bangladesh's only batter with two Test centuries this year and averages 40.63, making him crucial to the middle-order.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz will slot in at number 8 as the key all-rounder in Bangladesh's predicted playing XI vs South Africa. He has scored two half-centuries with the bat and picked up 25 wickets at 27.44 average in Tests this year.
Bowlers: Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam
Hasan Mahmud has been Bangladesh's standout pacer this year, picking up 23 wickets in 10 innings at an average of 26.26. He will be crucial to their chances in South Africa.
Taskin Ahmed averages 44.08 in Tests this year, but his pace and ability to exploit bounce could make him a major threat on South African pitches.
Shoriful Islam adds variety with his left-arm angle and height in Bangladesh's predicted playing XI vs South Africa. He has taken 10 wickets at an impressive average of 16.50 in Tests this year.
Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI vs South Africa for 1st Test, 2026
Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mahfijul Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das (WK), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (VC), Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam.
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