DHAKA, March 19, 2022: Emboldened by their first victory on South
African soil, Bangladesh now are aiming to clinch the three-match ODI series
as they take on the visitors for the second match tomorrow (Sunday) at The
Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
If they can pull off another victory, it will be their first ever series
victory on South African soil and of course against a top cricketing nation
for the first time. Bangladesh earlier won the away series against West
Indies and Zimbabwe but the series victory against South Africa, who are
always a tougher opponent at their home soil regardless of their strength
will be a major boost for Bangladesh cricket.
The significance of the series victory would be also huge given that
this South African side whitewashed mighty India in a three-match ODI series
at home recently. If they can win the series, it will be Bangladesh’s second
series victory over South Africa, having beaten the Proteas by 2-1 margin at
home soil in 2015.
The manner in which Bangladesh won the first match by 38 runs at
SuperSport Park in Centurion would give them the confidence to dream big.
They had first compiled a hefty 314-7, their highest ODI total on South
African soil, thanks to a superb 64 ball-77 of Shakib Al Hasan. He was ably
supported by opener Liton Das and youngster Yasir Ali Chowdhury who both made
an identical 50 runs.
While it was Yasir’s first ODI fifty, which came off just 43 balls,
Liton’s half-century was his third successive fifty plus knock in ODI
cricket.
Liton’s serenity and Tamim Iqbal’s patience gave Bangladesh a 95-run
partnership for the opening stand. Though runs came at slow pace, they didn’t
lose wicket early, which acted as the catalyst of Bangladesh’s success. South
African much-vaunted pace attack was believed to use the early moisture and
rip through Bangladesh’s top order in the first 10 overs but Liton and Tamim
denied them in extraordinary batting effort.
After the opening partnership set the tone, Shakib and Yasir added 115
off just 81 balls to throw South Africa out of the game.
“When I spent 7-8 balls, I thought it was a good wicket. We had to score
around 300. We got a good start through Liton and Tamim,” Shakib said.
“Yasir batted really well. Him and my partnership was important. Lot of
credit goes to him. As soon as the shine was gone, the ball wasn’t doing as
much as in the first ten overs. We had to take calculated risks, and it paid
off today,” Shakib explained the recipe of their success.
It was only Bangladesh’s fifth victory against South African in 23
matches. They lost 17 matches while one was washed out but Bangladesh won the
last matches against the Proteast, with the previous coming in the 2019 World
Cup in England. On both occasions, Shakib was the ultimate hero.
Shakib however was not supposed to play the series as he was allowed to
take a break for his mental and physical fatigue. But in a surprising move,
he changed his mind and played the series. He had already made the first
match a memorable one and his effort will be needed to win the series also.
Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal said they are oozing with confidence to
win the series also and for that they need to keep the trust on their
ability.
“We can win the series. We have to give ourselves every chance. They
will be eager to bounce back,” Tamim said.
After their first victory on South African soil, snapping the 19-match
winless streak across three formats, Bangladesh are unlikely to tinker with
their winning combination.
Squad
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Liton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto,
Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Afif Hossain, Mehidy
Hassan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot
Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Syed Khaled
Ahmed.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Keshav Maharaj (vice-capt), Quinton
de Kock (wk), 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.
Source: BSS
