Bangladesh having no wins in any formats in bilateral series in South Africa in 20 years, starts Protean mission today in their favorite format ODI at Centurion Park. The second match would be played at Johannesburg on 20 Match before the 3rd match at Centurion again on 23 March. In Shakib, Tamim, Mushfique and Mahmudullah team tigers possess the most experienced players in any format. Add to that inform Litton, Mustafiz, Mehedy Meraj, Taskin, Shoriful and Afif Bangladesh has more than even chance of setting new foot print. Moreover, Bangladesh has Domingo dominated coaching unit, White Electricity Alan Donald as pace bowling coach, AB Morkel as power hitting consultant. Though South Africa is in full strength and in great form Bangladesh has reasons to be optimistic.
Following is the probable playing XI.
South Africa (probable): Quinton de Kock (Wicket Keeper), Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma (Captain), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi
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Bangladesh (probable): Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicket Keeper), Yasir Ali, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mustafizur Rahman Quality South African new generation seems to have perfectly settled bringing back the winning momentum yet again. Them white washing strong India in the recent past must have given great confidence. Quinton de Kock retiring from test has focussed his concentration in white ball cricket. Flamboyant Janneman Malan is growing into a top opening batsman in white ball cricket. Captain Bavuma is also in great form. Aiden Markram and Rassie vander Dussen are also quality batsmen. The success of Bangladesh would lie on making early break through and taking regular wickets. With Taskin bowling fast, Mustafiz in his brilliant best and Shoriful improving in every match Bangladesh new ball bowlers would not let it easy for the home team. If Bangladesh manage early break through Shakib is too smart a bowler to stifle protean middle order with Meraj bowling tight from the other end. Bangladesh has to restrict opponent below 250 if they venture winning at least one match in the series. The greatest positive for Bangladesh in the recent past must have been pacers finding the right length and line. Mustafiz is always a wicket taker. Taskin has developed into a much-improved bowler and Shoriful had a very impressive South Africa experience as a key member of the 2019 Under 19 world cup winning team. Hope Donald could tune them effectively where to bowl on South African wickets. Bangladesh must take all chances those come their way.
As far as batting is concerned there is the catch. Hope Tamim gets back to his brilliant best soon. He is undoubtedly one of the keys to success. Litton is a vastly improved batsman. He was in prolific form against Afghanistan. Shakib changing his mind for the tour at the last stage added strength. He is one in three player and with him in the team Bangladesh always a difficult team to beat. Him getting going in his sublime form would be refreshing. Mushfique should hold the batting unit together. I am not sure whether Mahmudullah should bat at six. Him should be slotted at five with Yasir and Afif following him. Meraj showed his skill with the bat in the recent past. Then come the bowler. At least in the first match Bangladesh should appear with 8 batsmen. Three pacers Taskin, Mustafiz and Shoriful would have Shakib and Meraj to fill the quota. Tamim would have options for using Mahmudullah and Afif if required.
Cricket is a funny old game and white ball cricket is funnier . With most of the South African Players IPL bound Bangladesh must strike early to catch them off guard . I have noted that Bavuma saying `Bangladesh does not have Kohli or Rohit . Yet we would remain careful'. Behind his mind he must have not forgotten that Bangladesh beat them in 2019 ICC world cup. Four top Bangladeshi players are the most experienced and matured in world cricket at this moment. Well home team starts as favorite but tourists are not much behind.
BDST: 1434 HRS, MAR 18, 2022
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