Bangladesh are braced for a stiff challenge as they enter the second half of 2015 with South Africa arriving for a 34-day long tour. The bilateral series will kick off today with the first Twenty20 international from 1pm at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The series carries a different dimension for the home side, who have shown drastic improvement in all departments of the game in past months, as their versatility will be tested by the 2015 World Cup semifinalists South Africa.
Will the Tigers be able to live up to the expectation in the busy year is also a question mark that hangs over the series. Bangladesh spent February and March in Australia-New Zealand for the World Cup before hosting Asian powerhouses Pakistan and India for one-day international and Test series’ in the last three months. Pakistan lost 3-0 and India 2-1 in their ODI series, but it is Bangladesh’s T20 record that hasn’t been over the rope and it needs to be taken care of from now with the 2016 World T20 in sight. They have won just 12 matches out of 42 played in this format.
The home series against India, which ended 10 days ago, saw a new face of the Tigers attack. The plan of attack was based on the faster bowlers, but with the reputation South Africa batsmen has against the quickies, it can be predicted that Bangladesh will go back to the spinners for completing the job.
However, the Proteas are a very exciting team when it comes to the shortest format. Players like AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis are popular names in the T20 leagues across the world and all eyes will be on them.
This is South Africa’s first bilateral tour to Bangladesh after 2008 although they have played here in global events – 2011 World Cup and 2014 World Twenty20. Lot has changed since the sides last met in the 2011 World Cup group game where Bangladesh suffered a humiliating defeat after being bowled out for 78.
South Africa’s second string bowling attack have already demonstrated their intention in the only warm-up T20 against BCB XI and the battle in the middle today can heat up if the home side batsmen, who have shown that positive aggression and fearless determination against world class bowlers, stand up to the visitors.
The world No 2 T20 side, South Africa are no doubt the favourites in the game but not knowing the young force of the Tigers can cause damage to their tour. The side’s T20 skipper Faf du Plesis said, “Sometimes the unknown is also very dangerous,” pointing to the players like Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahaman and Sohag Gazi who they haven’t seen a lot of.
Players to watch: Shakib al Hasan Playing role: All-rounder
The Bangladesh one-day international and Twenty20 vice-captain is the most experienced Twenty20 campaigner in the Bangladesh dressing room. Rated as the top all-rounder in all three formats of cricket, Shakib’s expertise in the format will be asked for when they locks horn with South Africa. Shakib’s accomplished left-arm spin is ranked sixth in the ICC Twenty20 bowlers rankings – 11 places higher than any other Bangladeshi bowler’s, and he is tied as the team’s top batman.
Ab de Villiers Playing role: Right handed top order batsman
Bangladesh head Chandika Hathurusingha said his bowlers would like to bowl to De Villiers and pray for his dismissal. The fact is the home side will enjoy sending back ABD as early as possible as the right-handed batsman is perhaps the most terrifying in the world cricket with an unmatched range of strokes and a lightning-fast reaction. He’s the top-rated batsman in the one-dayers and, freed from wicket-keeping, he will be a predatory force in the field.
