In the last five months, Bangladesh have faced seven nations in the one-day international arena and played a total of 12 matches – six at home and six away. In the World Cup down under, the Tigers maintained a 50-50 record by winning three and losing three. However, as hosts, the Tigers have been dictating terms as they beat Pakistan 3-0 and India 2-1 to enjoy their most dominating home year.
With yet another bilateral home series on the horizon, here are five factors that will play a vital role behind the outcome of the three-match one-day international series between hosts Bangladesh and visitors South Africa, starting at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.
The pitch
It seemed the curator deliberately produced slow wickets for the Twenty20 encounters, probably to nullify the Proteas pacers, but the outcome was worse than expected. If that remains the plan for the ODI series, Bangladesh could suffer. The wicket must produce true bounce allowing the batsmen to play their natural game.
Spinners
Who would have thought Bangladesh to crumble against spinners Eddie Leie and Aaron Phangiso? What Bangladesh did, South Africa did better. Coming for the one-dayers, leg-spinner Imran Tahir’s input will make a vast difference on the pitches that more or less assist spinners. Arafat Sunny and Shakib al Hasan will be relied upon for 20 good overs while Nasir Hossain’s knack of picking up wickets at crucial times will also be needed.
Partnerships at the top
It is important for both teams. The visitors will feel the absence of the miraculous batsman AB de Villiers, who has been South Africa’s one-day captain for some time now, at the top. With couple of days practice in Dhaka, a lot depends on stand-in skipper Hashim Amla. If the Bangladesh bowlers are able to find cracks at the top, the sort of attacking approach they have been displaying recently, it will be curtains for the visitors. However, the home side must also organise their own deck. The 30s and 40s need to be extended by the batsmen and either of Tamim Iqbal or Soumya Sarkar needs to score big and not throw away their wicket once settled.
Mustafizur’s magic
The 19-year old kid was the reason the Tigers’ four-man pace attack baffled the mighty Indians in their last home series. The left-arm seamer’s off-cutters and slower ones left batsmen like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina dejected as Mustafizur took 13 wickets in the three matches. With another young fast bowler Taskin Ahmed already ruled out of the first two one-dayers with a side strain, a lot will be on the young shoulders of Mustafizur. Will South Africa be able to decode Mustafizur? The answer is just a cutter away.
Catching and fielding
Last but not the least by any means, the fielding standard needs to be lifted up as far as the hosts are concerned. Bangladesh have exhibited some fabulous fielding displays recently but haven’t been at their best in the Twenty20 series. It was only a day before in the first Ashes Test where Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin dropped Joe Root on zero as the right-handed went on to make 134 to save England’s skin. Although Bangladesh are playing in the one-day format, Mushfiqur Rahim must make sure he doesn’t provide his counterparts with such gifts.
