Real Rubel stands up after bizarre mix-up

Fast bowler Rubel Hossain flew out to join Bangladesh's tour of South Africa on Friday after his departure was delayed by a bizarre case of mistaken identity involving a look-a-like namesake with a criminal record.

Rubel departed nearly a week late after officials proved he was not the unknown man barred by South African authorities, who had the same name, similar personal details and looked identical in his photo.

"We received (from South African authorities) a photo, name and other information and all these things completely matched with Rubel though the person was different," Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan told reporters.

"(The person) they had banned was not our player Rubel. 

"There was a similar kind of person whose name, date of birth and all other information were similar, which confused them."

Last week Rubel, who has taken 32 wickets from 24 Tests with one five-wicket haul, was prevented from boarding a flight to South Africa when he was denied immigration clearance.

Because of the delay, Rubel missed a three-day warm-up match at Benoni, but he should be available for the first Test which starts at Potchefstroom on September 28.

South Africa have meanwhile picked allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo and batsman Aiden Markram in their squad for the series-opener.

Both were part of the South African squad who lost 3-1 earlier this year in England, with the 22-year-old Markram set to be the latest to try to solve the troublesome opening position alongside Dean Elgar.

The right-hander captained South Africa to victory at the 2014 under-19 World Cup.

"Aiden has been knocking on the door for some time now," Cricket South Africa national selection panel convener Linda Zondi said on Friday in a statement.

"He gained valuable insight into the Proteas' team culture during the tour of England and he has shown maturity beyond his years."

Phehlukwayo will vie with the more-experienced Wayne Parnell for the allrounder's position, although the latter faces a fitness test, with Chris Morris also ruled out with injury.

South Africa, to be led by new coach Ottis Gibson for the first time, are also missing seamers Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander through injury.

The second and final Test will be played from October 6-10 in Bloemfontein.

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Duanne Olivier, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada.

Bangladesh squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (c), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mominul Haque, Mehidy Hasan, Liton Das, Mustafizur Rahman, Taijul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain, Subashis Roy.