Markram was initially set to only be skipper of the side in the 1st Test in Dhaka in the absence of the injured Temba Bavuma.

Bavuma has, however, been ruled out for the 2nd Test as well after not having recovered from an elbow injury he sustained against Ireland in the United Arab Emirates earlier in the month.

The Proteas Test coach, Shukri Conrad, confirmed that Bavuma will not be playing next week. “Yes, there is an update on Temba,” said Conrad.

“In fact, yesterday was always going to be the day where we were going to make the decision based on his medical condition. So there was a plan and there was a programme that he was following.

“And no, we did not wait for the result – we just feel medically he is not going to be ready for the second Test. We will tone down the programme so that he can be ready for the Sri Lanka series. So, Temba is out for the second Test, unfortunately.”

Aiden Markram. Photo: Cricinfo

It is a blow not having Bavuma fit for the 2nd Test, however, in what was Markram’s first outing in the longest format of the game as the skipper, he led the team to their first Test victory on the subcontinent in more than ten years.

The 2nd Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram is scheduled to get underway on Tuesday.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg/mvh