The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the squad for the second Test against South Africa following their seven-wicket defeat in the first Test. The second match of the two-Test series is scheduled to begin on 29 October at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

In a key change, pacer Khaled Ahmed has been included in the 15-man squad, replacing Taskin Ahmed, who didn’t play in the opening match. Taskin’s absence paves the way for Khaled, a pace option who could be crucial on a Chattogram pitch that may offer assistance to seamers. Despite the heavy reliance on spin in the Mirpur Test, the Bangladesh bowling attack faced challenges, and the inclusion of Khaled may provide a balanced option for the second match.

Bangladesh lost the first Test by seven wickets in Mirpur, with South African pacers Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj exploiting Bangladesh's fragile batting line-up. The team were bowled out for just 106 in their first innings, which put them on the back foot from the start. Despite a fighting 97 from Mehidy Hasan Miraz in the second innings, Bangladesh could only set a target of 106 runs, which South Africa chased down with ease.

With the series on the line, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and his team will be under pressure to bounce back and level the series. The team will travel to Chattogram on 26 October to prepare for the second Test. Bangladesh's batting unit, especially the top order, will need to improve drastically if they hope to avoid a series loss on home soil.

Bangladesh Squad for the Second Test: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Zaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad, Khaled Ahmed.