‘We can beat any side of the world’

Whether focusing on the shape of the batting line-up and the ability to counter South African pacers or focusing on their own pace battery performance on South African soil is what Bangladesh’s think tank is most about at the first ODI in Centurion today .

Bangladesh has never won on South African soil in any format, so instead of tackling with shaky feelings and a half-hearted approach backed by past defeats, Tamim Iqbal opted for brevity. “We know that South Africa is always a difficult tour for us. We want to change that and therefore we have to prepare for a difficult challenge and be brave,” the ODI skipper said at the press conference yesterday, one day before the game.

Bangladesh has historically fought in South Africa, especially with pace and bone. Kagiso Rabada also terrorized them in the recent T20I World Cup in the UAE. Anrich Nortje’s pace could be a handful, while at Tabraiz Shamsi they have the kind of bowler with whom the Bangladeshi did not really have much experience.

The ground at Centurion has produced runs in the last three ODIs, with the last two being the Proteas series against Pakistan. Tamim, who said his side were able to get a feel for the pitch by practicing in central wickets, found hope from the team’s last match against South Africa in ODI format – a 21-run victory over The Oval at the 2019 World Cup.

The games you mentioned [Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal] they are very experienced. They are the boys who played here in South Africa, they are the boys who played in Australia. So, you know from a mental point of view, they know what to expect.

South Africa Skipper, Temba Bavuma

“This is a pitch where, when you look at the statistics, you see that a lot of shots are fired because the pitch is a bit smaller and the pitch is fast. But whatever the statistics say, you have to accept that we have to play well, we’re ready for the challenge, we know they’ll be up to us. We have to deal with the pressure. “The most important thing will be when we start tomorrow,” said Tamim.

The team will be thrilled by the fact that Ace Allrounder Shakib Al Hasan also likes to pick up the Proteas. “He’s with the team and is fully available for all the matches. Shakib was waiting for tomorrow’s match and he wants to do well. Just like I want to do well, the other members of the team want to do the same,” Tamim said. .

In addition to just how much of an advantage fast bowlers get on tracks that could be flat, the main concern may be how the top order can withstand and push past the early storm.

“We know it will be challenging. If you think about it, bar one or two, most of the members of our site are quite experienced with at least 40-50 ODIs in the bag. Everyone knows what to expect. The most important thing. “Things will require a change of mentality. If we have a good day, I think we can beat any side of the world,” said Tamim.

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma was also counting on a good day. Bangladesh had the experience and for Bavuma the Tigers deserved respect.

“The players you mentioned [Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim] they are very experienced. They are guys who played here in South Africa … they are guys who played in Australia. So, from a mental point of view, they know what to expect. Si [Bangladesh] are on top of it [ICC ODI Super] League, so we will give them the respect. But it is what happens on the day that matters, “he concluded.

• Bangladesh is already at the top of the ICC ODI Super League table with 100 points from 15 matches. Even a single win from the series of three matches against South Africa would qualify the Tigers’ chances for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
• South Africa is currently 10th in the Super League table with just 39 points from 10 matches.
• Bangladesh is still to be won in all formats away to South Africa. The Tigers played nine ODIs, six Tests and four T20Is against the Proteas in their yard.
• Shakib Al Hasan plays in 14 of the 21 ODIs between Bangladesh and South Africa, scoring 397 runs – the highest of the players of the current squads of the two sides.
• Quinton de Kock is just behind Shakib in the top scorer charts. However, De Kock only took seven games to score 354 runs with an average of 59.
• With 13 wickets and seven ODIs, Kagiso Rabada is the most active player with the most wickets against Bangladesh.
• Shakib also scalped the same number of wickets as Rabada but the all-rounder played seven more games than the Pacer.