Bangladesh one-day international captain Tamim Iqbal believes the challenge of facing South Africa on their turf increases when playing at an unknown venue like the Centurion.
Also known as the SuperSport Park – Bangladesh till date have played only one game here – a Test back in 2007.
Bangladesh are set to take on hosts South Africa in the first match of the three-ODI series at the venue Friday.
Tamim along with Shakib al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim are the only three players from the current lot to have played the game 15 years ago at the Centurion and conceded a defeat by an innings and 48 runs.
“We had three to four practice sessions, so tried to cope with the condition as much as possible. But one has to understand that we do not regularly play in such condition. It was good that we got to bat on the center wicket at the Wanderers where we play the second ODI [Sunday]. We had a match situation practice there. You cannot mix with the condition in just two or three days. The crucial part is to be prepared mentally and fight to the best extent possible. You have to be lucky to suddenly come to places like these and find yourself prepared,” said Tamim at the pre-match media conference Thursday.
Bangladesh reached South Africa last week with the ambition of changing their record there – the side have never been able to win a game of cricket against the hosts.
Bangladesh look to drive inspiration from their historic Test win on tour of New Zealand earlier this year.
“We do not have experience of playing one-day cricket here. It will be challenging for us. It [Centurion] is a high scoring ground because of the shape and the outfield of the ground. End of the day we will have to play our best cricket and there is no doubt they [South Africa] will try to dominate us. We will have to handle that well. We played well against them in the World Cup recently so there is no reason for us to not play well against them. Irrespective of whatever I am saying now, important for us will be the start [today],” Tamim explained.
Bangladesh team in South Africa were joined by all-rounder Shakib in the last minute following a series of drama with Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Shakib had asked for a leave from the series citing mental and physical fatigue.
Though Shakib later joined the team, there are wide assumptions that the cricketer will play selected matches in the series and that this has been decided between the BCB and the Shakib himself.
Bangladesh ODI skipper Tamim however, is not informed of any such decision between Shakib and the board.
“I do not have any such message that he [Shakib] will have to be rested in two matches or so. I know that he is with the team and fully available. We had discussion on cricket and he is eagerly looking forward to the game [today]. Shakib wants the team to do well,” said Tamim.