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Bangladesh are trying to keep the focus on cricket as the first Test against South Africa begins at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today. 

The hosts will be without Shakib Al Hasan, who was all set for his farewell in this Test a few days ago but was later advised by the government not to come to the country. 

The Najmul Hossain Shanto-led side will be playing under a new coach, Phil Simmons, who was appointed by the BCB less than a week ago after the sacking of Chandika Hathurusingha. 

After being swept away by India, Bangladesh will be keen to be back on track in familiar condition, which will be their first home Test since March. But the dramatic unfolding of events in the last few days has created an unusual circumstance around this Test. 

When Shanto appeared in the pre-match press conference on Sunday, Shakib was the focus of attention, as many of the reporters’ queries were about the great all-rounder.

Even South Africa captain Aiden Markram was also asked questions about Shakib.

Shanto stated that it is regrettable that Shakib will not be playing in this match, and they planned to bid him farewell.

But as that’s not going to happen, he wanted to keep it pending for the future. Before that, he wanted to keep the focus on the game. 

‘It should have happened [Shakib’s farewell at home]. We all know why it didn’t happen. I don’t want to talk much about this before the Test match. I want my players to focus on the game,’ said Shanto.

But Shanto admitted that with all the things happening over the last few days, it’s not been an easy task for them not to get distracted. 

‘Difficult, to be very honest. But I think this is not in our control. Thinking too much about this is a waste of time, I feel. It is very important to focus on the game. I think the players are preparing themselves well and trying to focus on that,’ said the Bangladesh captain.

Outside the stadium premises, some Shakib fans gathered with a demand to let him have his farewell from Mirpur. There were Army deployed. Some anti-Shakib people even attacked the Shakib fans. 

Bangladesh will feel the absence of Shakib on the field too. As always, it will be a difficult task for them to find the right combination without him. 

‘I can’t deny we are still having trouble finding the best combination’, Shanto said. ‘We will need more time for this. But it is not in our control. We have to manage it that way. I think the players we have have the ability to play their role from their position. I hope the combination we go for will give their 100 per cent.’ 

Shanto will also have to deal with the new coach, who’s been in charge for less than a week. He felt that he would have to bear the extra responsibility. 

He said, ‘So many things changed just five days ago. The new coach hasn’t made many plans yet. He is new, trying to understand things. As a captain, I know what I want to do and how our team wants to play.’

‘I have shared my plans with the coach. He agreed with me. I think we can use the experience of playing on this ground. I don’t think it’s important to mix between old and new teh coach because the players are experienced in playing here’, Shanto added. 

Bangladesh have picked Hasan Murad, the left arm spinner, in place of Shakib when he was ruled out from the Test. 

Bangladesh have never beaten South Africa in the previous 14 attempts. Shanto said that it would give them extra motivation. 

‘I think the outside noise is not in anyone’s head. Everyone’s focused on tomorrow’s [Monday] game. We never won against South Africa, but this is a big opportunity with the team we have and our home conditions. There will be challenges, but I think we have a good opportunity.’

Shanto believed that the spinners would play a definite role in the Mirpur Test, as often the case is. 

‘Definitely the spinners will have an extra role here, as always. As we have seen in the past. Our spinners will bowl the way they have bowled here before,’ he said.

‘I will want the process to be right. I don’t want anything extra from the spinners. It’s a matter of process how we can take 20 wickets. If we can keep our process right, it’s possible to do well.’