The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Newly announced 17-member Bangladesh cricket team begins practice camp today at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) ahead of their home series against South Africa.

All the players, excepting the reserves, have been advised to report to national coach Jamie Siddons at the SBNS on Saturday at 8:45am.

During the first day of the camp, the tigers are likely to be given fitness tests as well as some batting practice in the nets and fielding practice.

South Africa team will arrive here on February 14 to play three ODIs and two tests.

The Proteas will begin their tour with a test match February 22-26 at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) while the 2nd test will be held at the Bir Shreshtha Ruhul Amin Stadium (BSRAS) in Chittagong on Feb 29-March 4).

The 1st ODI between the two sides will also be held at the BSRAS on March 9, the 2nd and the 3rd ODIs on March 12 and 14 at the SBNS.

Bangladesh Squad: Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Habibul Bashar, Aftab Ahmed, Zunaed Siddiqui, Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (vice-captain), Shahadat Hossain Rajib, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sajedul Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Rajin Saleh, Farhad Reza, Abdur Razzak, Enamul Haque Jr., Mohammed Rafique and Syed Rasel.

Reserves - Khaled Mashud, Nazim Uddin, Talha Jubaer, Dollar Mahmud, Mahmudullah Riyad and Mosharraf Hossain Rubel.

Meanwhile, the BCB also announced a 14-member squad for the three-day (Feb 17-19) warm-up match against South Africa to be held at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS).

Warm-up squad - Zunaed Siddiqui, Shahriar Nafees, Nazim Uddin, Rajin Saleh, Shakib Al Hasan, Aftab Ahmed, Mushfiqur Rahim, Enamul Haque Jr., Sajedul Islam, Talha Jubaer, Farhad Reza, Syed Rasel, Roqibul Hassan and Habibul Bashar.