Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim urged his teammates to step up and make the most of the opportunity given that they are missing key players in the second Test against South Africa. While all-rounder Shakib al Hasan opted to take a six-month sabbatical from Test cricket citing fatigue, Tamim Iqbal's thigh injury ruled him out of the fixture.

After a 333-run defeat in the opening Test, the absence of the duo is all but certain to have the visitors on the back foot when they take on the hosts at the Mangaung Oval today. Mushfiqur sadi, " I think this is an opportunity for the others in the squad. I want them to make use of this opportunity". Adding on he said, " It is a major setback to not have your two best players. We really needed them here as we lost the first game badly. But time doesn't stand still for anyone. Injuries are not in our control."

Besides this, Mushfiqur is hopeful that Bangladesh will put their level best in the second test against South Africa. Mushfiqur said that the last time we missed them was in Galle and it wasn't an easy game for us as Sri Lanka was a far better team at that time.

The skipper also chose to leave the past behind and move on from the loss in the opening game. The challenge for them though, gets tougher as Faf du Plessis said that this is more of a South African wicket. In the absence of Tamim, it is up to the new opening pair of Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar to provide the team with a strong start. He is also hopeful that his bowlers will create pressure by picking early wickets against South Africa.

"Our bowlers couldn't do it in the first Test but they can do it in second test. There will be help for them in this wicket and I think they will learn from their previous mistakes. It'd be better if they can do it quickly".