With Bangladesh under pressure in the Chattogram Test against South Africa, the team faces a critical challenge as they aim to draw out the game over five days. If the match stretches to Day 5, Zakir Hasan could end up playing eight consecutive days of red-ball cricket.

Initially included in the squad but omitted from the playing XI, Zakir joined Sylhet's national league team after spending five days with the national squad. From there, he returned straight to the lineup for the Chattogram Test. With the match moving at a rapid pace, Zakir is facing a unique situation—he’s effectively playing a marathon of red-ball cricket, highlighting the workload on emerging players.

This situation has sparked discussions among fans and critics alike. Many question the necessity of sending players to the domestic league midway through an international series if they’re likely to feature in the national Test XI. Mahidul Islam Ankon’s sudden inclusion has also been met with scrutiny. After a single century in domestic play, Ankon was selected the night before the match, immediately making his debut in the national team as the primary wicketkeeper, though he faced challenges adjusting to the pace.

These player rotations were prompted by unforeseen circumstances. Jaker Ali Anik, who debuted in the Dhaka Test as a wicketkeeper-batsman, scored a half-century in that match but was injured during training when a ball struck his head, ruling him out with a concussion. Subsequently, Ankon was drafted in as a replacement. Meanwhile, Litton Das, the first-choice wicketkeeper, was sidelined with a fever. This left the team with limited choices for their lineup in Chattogram, leading to the selection of both Zakir and Ankon in an eight-batter configuration.

Head Coach Phil Simmons clarified that the workload on these players was taken into account, and that the team management was left with no choice but to rely on both. Addressing speculation, he explained: "There was no miscommunication. Zakir was always coming back. We needed him to get some batting time because he didn't play the last Test match. But then we got a concussion, we got an illness. So two batsmen were out. He [Mahidul] got into the side because Litton wasn't well number one. Right. So he had to. We had to get a wicket keeper. Jaker would have kept. But he has concussion. So it's not the ideal way to get it. It's best for you if you're in the squad all the time, but these things happen. People get their chances and I hope he takes his chance."

When asked about Litton Das’s condition, Simmons stated that Litton had a high fever on the morning of the match, and his current status would be assessed upon the team’s return to the hotel.