DHAKA, April 30: Bangladesh attempt to justify their Test status yet again here on Thursday in the second Test against South Africa at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The hosts lost by an innings and 60 runs in the first of two Tests at Chittagong, their 17th loss in 18 matches since gaining Test status three years ago.

The only draw they have salvaged so far has been against Zimbabwe in a truncated tie two seasons ago and their one-day record has not been much better as they have not won a match in almost four years.

“Our batsmen need to apply themselves better if we are to hope to put up resistance in any Test,” said captain Khaled Mahmud, who took over as captain earlier this month.

Mahmud’s side failed to win a match in a triangular series also featuring India and his first Test at the helm also proved a forgettable outing with a crushing defeat.

Teams (from):

Bangladesh: Khaled Mahmud (captain), Mehrab Hossain, Mohammad Ashraful, Javed Omar, Habibul Bashar, Akram Khan, Sanwar Hossain, Mohammad Salim, Alok Kapali, Mohammad Rafique, Tapas Baishya, Manjural Islam, Mashrafi bin Murtaza, Enamul Haque.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Mark Boucher, Hershelle Gibbs, Boeta Dippenaar, Shaun Pollock, Neil McKenzie, Paul Adams, Allan Dawson, Andrew Hall, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Jacques Rudolph, Charl Willoughby.

Umpires: Steve Bucknor (West Indies) and Billy Bowden (New Zealand).

Match referee: Clive Lloyd (West Indies).—AFP