Playing in Australia , New Zealand , South Africa and England always presents an unique challenge for any team from Indian subcontinent. It applies equally for Pakistan, India , Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. All teams try their best putting together their best available squad. Unfortunately Bangladesh has gone to South Africa leaving their prolific all rounder Shakib Al Hasan enjoying leave of absence for physical and mental fatigue. According to the latest BCB statement Shakib would not be playing any cricket till 30 April 2022. Bangladesh would be playing 3 matches ODI series, a part of ICC ODI Championship. Bangladesh as part of ICC test championship would also play 2 matches test series. South Africa has announced its strongest ODI squad including all their IPL 2022 bound players . In the recent past South Africa won both test and ODI series against strong India . South Africa also drew 2 matches test series against New Zealand 1-1. Bangladesh won ODI series 2-1 and drew T20 series 1-1 with Afghanistan. It would be an uphill task for Bangladesh proving competitive against strong South Africa in their own arena. The only success for Bangladesh so far in protea land is Under 19 team winning becoming the champions of the world in 2019. Fortunately two members of the squad Shoriful Islam and Mahmmud Hasan Joy are in the squad. Two Protean are in Bangladesh coaching unit- head coach Russel Domingo and pace bowling coach White Electricity Alan Donald.
Bangladesh SQUAD
ODI
Tamim Iqbal Khan (Captain), Litton Kumer Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmud Ullah, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Nasum Ahmed, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Syed Khaled Ahmed
TEST
Mominul Haque Showrab (Captain), Tamim Iqbal Khan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Shoriful Islam, Shohidul Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Shadman Islam, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan
Shakib is in self exile at the moment . BCB has not announced any replacement. The squad includes few reserves those are travelling with the squad.
South Africa Squad
ODI
Temba Bavuma (captain), Keshav Maharaj (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Zubayr Hamza, Marco Jansen, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne
South Africa has not yet announced the test squad. At least 9 players of South Africa from what has been announced above have IPL contracts. But they have quality depth and diversity and may not be that much affected if some players consider playing in IPL more attractive national duty.
ICC ODI Ranking (12 March 2022)
Teams Matches Points Ranking
Australia 23 2736 119
India 32 3717 116
New Zealand 31 3561 115
England 41 4151 101
South Africa 26 2622 101
Pakistan 30 2787 93
Sri Lanka 30 2485 83
West Indies 33 2480 75
Bangladesh 22 1157 53
Zimbabwe 11 342 31
Apart from Bangladesh and South Africa, Australia is playing against Pakistan; England is there in West Indies. Positions would change in few weeks. Teams staying within top eight would play directly in ICC World Cup 2023 in India.
If Bangladesh plays to their potential it should not be a one-way traffic. Tamim, Mushfque and Mahmudullah are three veterans in ODI squad . The experience they have together is far greater than the entire protea squad. It does not matter all three looked way below their best in recent series against Afghanistan. But they would bounce back. Liton is in the best form of life. Afif Hossain and Mehedy Miraj have started fulfilling their promise. Rookies Yasir Rabbi and Mahmudul Hasan Joy showed glimpse of promise. Mustafiz, Taskin, Shoriful Ebadat and Khaled would definitely enjoy the pace and bounce. Who knows better the condition than Alan Donald? Bangladesh may even surprise South Africa in ODI series. Shakib may repent later for skipping the series. The key would batting to the best of the ability and scoring at least 260-270 runs in each of the three ODI. Against Rabada, Ngidi, Jansen, Maharaj and Shamsi that would not be easy. Even after their success against India I would say South Africa has genuine weakness in batting which Bangladesh bowlers should try to exploit bowling at right channel and fielders must accept all those come their way.
BDST: 1024 HRS, MAR 12, 2022
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