Bangladesh has two memorable wins in the World Cup against South Africa. However, the Tigers have never beaten the Proteas in their field. With 20 years of regret, Tamim Iqbal’s team is facing them in the first match of the three-match ODI series today. The match will start at 5 pm Bangladesh time at SuperSports Park in Centurion. Bangladesh won the last meeting between the two teams. Proteas pacer Lungi Ngidi has said that they will take revenge for that loss in the 2019 ODI World Cup at home.
Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo’s home is in South Africa. He has also served as the coach of the Proteas before.
However, many of Domingo’s former disciples are not in the current South African team. Under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, they will face Bangladesh with a bunch of new faces. Yet Domingo says South Africa is a favorite at home. He has kept Bangladesh in the line of underdogs.
However, Domingo does not want to return empty-handed from South Africa. This time he hopes for more than he expected. After Mount Maunganui Miracle on New Zealand soil, There is no reason for Domingo to overstate such expectations. The victory in Maunganui has raised the mercury of confidence of the Tigers even higher. Shakib Al Hasan said the same thing before leaving the country.
In January, India went to South Africa and was whitewashed in the ODI series. However, the Proteas had earlier lost the series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In the ODI Super League, they are ranked 10th in the list with just 3 wins in 10 matches. Bangladesh is at the top with 10 wins in 15 matches. So South Africa will come down with full force against Bangladesh. Bangladesh will also play the best xi. Having Shakib will be an advantage for the visitors. Mehedi Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain Dhruv can easily be set at positions 7 and 8. This will increase the depth of batting. That’s what’s important in conditions like South Africa. Miraz and Afif are both tested all-rounders. The pair kept a signature of achievement in the last series against Afghanistan at home. Opener Liton Das’s bat is giving Bangladesh a touch of relief by lifting the tune of Calypso. Mushfiqur Rahim was a symbol of trust before and still is.
He is the only Bangladeshi to get a century in ODIs against the Proteas. In the bowling, Shariful Islam, Taskin Ahmed is in a great rhythm. Mustafizur Rahman’s mysterious cutter can turn the match around in an instant. Their role in South Africa’s pace-friendly conditions will be crucial. However, along with the pacers in South Africa, Bangladeshi batters will also face the challenge of left-arm Tabraiz Shamsi. Liton Das will be watching the hosts. In Bangladesh’s last three series against Pakistan, New Zealand, and Afghanistan, Liton has scored runs. Guides want him back as soon as possible.
Sisanda Magala has been ruled out due to injury. He is being replaced by pace sensation Kagiso Rabada. South Africa’s likely XI could be – Quinton de Kock, Yanneman Malan, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi.
Bangladesh can go down with the xi of the last ODI against Afghanistan on February 28. Liton Das with Tamim in the opener, Shakib at three, Mushfiqur at four, Yasir Ali at five. This was followed by Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Mehedi Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shariful Islam, and Mustafizur Rahman.
The toss will play an important role in Centurion. In the last 6 ODIs at this venue, the team that won the toss and elected to bat has lost 4.
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