South Africa Not Taking Bangladesh Lightly, Rabada Cautious Ahead of Test Series

South Africa have risen to second place in the ICC World Test Championship points table. Aiming to reach the final, their next opponents are Bangladesh, and the hosts are not taking Bangladesh lightly at all before the two-match Test series.

Star South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has spoken about the team's thinking ahead of the series. In his view, no opponent can be taken easily in international cricket, and every series carries uncertainty and challenge.

Rabada said no series in international cricket can be taken for granted and every match carries risk. He said Bangladesh would be quite confident given their recent style of play, called that exciting, and noted that players always want to face the best opponents.

Saying he is looking forward to the contest against Bangladesh, the pacer added that he believes Bangladesh will come here wanting to prove themselves, and that such rivalry is positive for cricket.

Bangladesh are currently fifth in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. They face South Africa after losing a series 1-0 to the West Indies, but before that they proved their ability by drawing a two-match Test series on Australian soil, a performance the South African camp has also noted.

For reigning World Test Champions South Africa, this series carries great importance. They want a good result against Bangladesh to hold their place in the top two in the race for the final.

Advising his teammates to stay away from complacency, Rabada said complacency is a natural human tendency and they have been in such situations before. He said they must stay alert, give their best and allow no drop in intensity.

Rabada said they are not thinking about results now, but focusing on how they want to play. They have played this way for the past two years, taking the field with a fierce desire to win and trying to put pressure on opponents, and the plan is the same this time.

South Africa and Bangladesh meet in the first Test in Johannesburg on 15 November. In the two-match series, the hosts aim to strengthen their position on the road to the Test Championship final, while Bangladesh face the challenge of performing in difficult conditions.