Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan believes their Test series against South Africa will be more difficult than the One-Day International series, which the Tigers won 2-1.
Bangladesh beat South Africa by nine wickets in the third and final ODI of the series on Wednesday, claiming their first-ever series victory in the Proteas’ backyard.
After the series, Shakib came back to Bangladesh on Thursday to be beside his ailing family members.
At the airport, Shakib said the Tests would be difficult but he was hopeful.
“The Tests will be more challenging. We are a good ODI side for 5-7 years, everybody knows that. True wickets are used in ODIs. Whoever does well, are likely to win. In Tests, the home team finds more advantages from home conditions. But as they will be without a few key players, we can be hopeful,” he said on Thursday.
Many members of the regular South Africa Test team will be playing in the Indian Premier League instead of the Test series, including Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen and Lungi Ngidi.
Shakib himself will be missing the first Test and is a doubt for the second.
The first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa will start on March 31 at Durban, with the second starting at Port Elizabeth on April 8.
