Bangladesh recently secured their first-ever Test win over New Zealand © Getty
After Bangladesh bagged their maiden ODI series in South Africa, Shakib Al Hasan is hopeful of the success spilling over to the Test format against a depleted South African side which will be without some of its stalwarts, who will soon be IPL bound. The home side will be without Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram for the Tests.

Cricbuzz had earlier reported that Shakib would return home on March 24 for family emergency, though the team management did not rule out his availability for the second Test, which starts from April 8.

"I think Test series will be more challenging," Shakib said on Thursday. "For five to seven years, we have been a good ODI unit, and we all know that in ODIs we play cricket on true wickets and whoever does well will win the game. In Test teams take advantage of their condition but as some of their main players are missing we can be hopeful."

Bangladesh have lost all six away Tests they've played against South Africa, with five of those defeats by an innings. Shakib however, hoped the recent Test win in New Zealand will inspire the players to turn the screws on another home team who they've never won against before.

"Look our pace bowlers are doing well and due to that we won the Test against New Zealand. The team management and players have a lot of confidence over the pace bowlers and they are repaying back their faith," Shakib said.

Shakib also credited the South African coaching contingent in the Bangladesh dressing room for being able to prepare well for this tour. Bangladesh have Russell Domingo (head coach), Allan Donald (fast bowling coach), Albie Morkel (power hitting coach) for the ODIs while Neil McKenzie and Ashwell Prince also worked with Bangladesh as batting coaches previously.

"Because they (South African coaching members) are from there, they had a good idea about their home condition and they shared it with us which was very helpful. We could know about the mindset carried in their (South African) dressing room and we planned accordingly and it worked," he said.