A group of fans calling for Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to play in a farewell test against South Africa were attacked by rival protesters wielding sticks and bamboo on Sunday, police said.

A scuffle erupted outside Mirpur Stadium between pro and anti Shakib Al Hasan supporters, a day before Bangladesh-South Africa Test.

Shakib's political connections have complicated his circumstances, and he has remained outside the country since the ousting of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto said his men were focused on the challenge of South Africa rather than their missing all-rounder Shakib al Hasan ahead of Monday's first Test in Mirpur. The two-Test series is the first international cricket fixture in Bangladesh

The absence of Shakib Al Hasan has come as a relief to South Africa as they embark on a two-test series in Bangladesh but stand-in captain Aiden Markram does not expect the challenge to be any easier.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has said Shakib Al Hasan's absence from what should have been his farewell Test was "unfortunate," but urged his team to focus on the task at hand - the first match against South Africa starting on Monday.