As the South African cricket team prepares to take on Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, former Proteas batsman and Bangladesh coach Ashwell Prince has emphasized the crucial role spin will play in the contests. The Proteas will face a tough challenge when the series kicks off from 21-25 October in Dhaka, followed by the second Test in Chattogram from 29 October to 2 November.
Prince, who played 66 Tests for South Africa and briefly coached Bangladesh in 2021-22, warned of the danger posed by Bangladesh’s key spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam. Both bowlers, he noted, are capable of turning the match in favor of the hosts, exploiting conditions that South Africa may struggle to navigate.
“There is no mystery to Miraz,” Prince said. “He’s a traditional off-spinner who gives it a lot of loop and consistently attacks the gap between bat and pad. He’s very patient, very consistent, and there won’t be a lot of bad balls. Taijul, as a left-arm orthodox, will also bowl a lot of overs and put pressure on South Africa.”
With South Africa’s batting lineup relatively inexperienced in subcontinental conditions, there is growing concern that Bangladesh’s spin threat might overwhelm the Proteas. Aiden Markram is the only player in the current squad with a century in Asia, and many of the specialist batsmen have never even played a first-class game in the region. This lack of exposure to the conditions could prove to be a significant obstacle.
Prince also pointed out an area that has raised eyebrows in the build-up to the series. While a large portion of the team was already acclimatizing to conditions in the UAE, the team camp was held in South Africa—a move that has prompted questions about the team’s preparedness. One wonders if South Africa would have been better off holding their training camp in the UAE, given the proximity and similar conditions to what they’ll face in Bangladesh. Training in home conditions, in this case, might not provide the type of experience necessary to handle the slow, turning tracks awaiting them.
South Africa’s struggles in Asia are well-documented. The Proteas haven’t won a Test match in Asia in the last decade, let alone a series. This series represents a rare moment where South Africa enters as underdogs, a position they have seldom found themselves in against Bangladesh. With this in mind, the Proteas must rely on their ability to adapt quickly, especially with their spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Dane Piedt, playing a pivotal role.
Prince highlighted the importance of building partnerships on slow, low wickets. “You can lose wickets in clusters because it can be tough to start your innings there. So if two guys get stuck in, they’ve got to build that partnership as big as possible,” he said.
Despite South Africa’s formidable history, they face a spin-heavy Bangladesh team in their home conditions. For the Proteas, this series could well be about rediscovering their form in Asia and shedding their decade-long winless streak. But to do that, they must first overcome the spin threat—a task that will require sharp adjustments, quick learning, and the ability to thrive in unfamiliar territory.
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