Duminy: Bangladesh can challenge in shorter formats

South Africa middle-order batsman JP Duminy said Bangladesh are always a challenging and competitive side in the shorter format and believes the Tigers will give their best Sunday in the third and final ODI. "When it comes to the shorter formats of the game I always felt that Bangladesh are a team that’s gonna challenge you. I think in terms of the last two games I’ve just been very happy with the way we have done our work. We’ve been disciplined in all departments, put a lot of focus on what we are trying to achieve, and fortunately for us we have blown them away in all departments. It doesn’t take away from what’s going to happen [Sunday]; I still believe that Bangladesh are going to come out trying to prove a point, to get back into this tour really,” Duminy said to the media at Buffalo Park Saturday.

It’s match day eve in East London and the boys are looking on point! Have a look at @OdgibsonOttis vs @dwainep__29. #ProteaFire #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/djKLHuIwfe

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 21, 2017

“It’s been a pretty dominant tour from a South African point of view and we want to keep it that way. As I mentioned earlier, that 3-0 is something that we are focusing on and that is our goal for [Sunday]. Bangladesh are a team that’s always going to give their best, always going to challenge us in certain departments,” he added. Bangladesh have lost key players in the shape of opener Tamim Iqbal and paceman Mustafizur Rahman as both have been ruled out from the rest of the tour due to injury. It's a major blow for the Tigers but Duminy thinks it can be seen as opportunities for other players as well to make their statement.

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Also read: Injured Tamim to return home

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“I think it’s a big loss, Tamim and Mustafiz are obviously key players. I think it’s a benefit for us. You know it’s not always easy losing key players in a game. But then again, if we had lost key players in our team it would have been a great opportunity for different guys to come in and showcase their talent. That’s the same kind of story for Bangladesh; they are a cricketing nation that produces a lot of experienced cricketers. We’d like to think that they are going to step in and produce their best performances, so we are going to have to be at our best [Sunday]," he explained. South Africa have rested opener Hashim Amla for the East London ODI and may try out some new players as they have already clinched the series 2-0. “Obviously Hashim has been rested so there’s a spot up for grabs. In terms of other selection places I am not quite sure who’s gonna come in or who’s gonna be rested. It obviously opens up the way for a few guys to get chances so we are going to have to wait and see what the selection panel decides,” said the 33-year old.