Hosts Bangladesh have never been closer than they are right now to an ODI series win against South Africa. The two sides have faced each other in three ODI series in the past with the Proteas winning them all convincingly.
Today however, the energetic Tigers have a golden opportunity to change all that as they stand on the threshold of a third straight series victory, and first against South Africa, when the third and final ODI of the series takes place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong. The Tigers have been flying high in recent times following their triumphs over sub-continent powerhouses Pakistan and India and they can go one better today by overcoming the formidable Proteas.
On paper, the visitors are the slight favourites, given the 15 wins in their last 17 ODIs against the home side but the spirited Tigers will take a lot of heart from their comprehensive seven-wicket success in the second ODI on Sunday.
The first two ODIs of the series at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur followed an identical pattern. The team batting first were skittled out for a below-par total and the side chasing reached the destination with utomost ease. The slow and low SBNS decks were a concern for both the sides at one stage but there will be no such problems in Chittagong. The ZACS wicket is expected to be flat and conducive for stroke-making.
The highest total at ZACS belongs to Sri Lanka, who scored 309 against Bangladesh in 2006. In the recent past, the Tigers posted 281 against Zimbabwe last November so there is every indication that the ZACS will favour run-making.
Under such circumstances, the majority of the Bangladesh batsmen, who have been silent thus far in the ongoing bilateral home series, will be expected to step up to the fore. Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah’s record partnership in the second ODI should be the benchmark for the other batsmen, especially opener and local lad Tamim Iqbal.
Tamim is yet to make his bat speak in the series, having managed scores of nought and five in the first two ODIs. Given that the southpaw will be backed up by his family and home crowd, Tamim will not be short of inspiration. That Tamim has scored the most runs at ZACS among the Bangladesh batsmen – 391 runs – should boost him a great deal.
The Tigers are most likely to follow the theory of not messing with the winning combination but the only surprise might come in the shape of Anamul Haque in place of Liton Kumar Das.
The visitors on the other hand will look to defend their honour and maintain their unbeaten series record against Bangladesh. The Proteas’ senior members of the batting department will be expected to lead from the front while their bowlers, who have been impressive, will be hoping to repeat their potent displays with the leather.
The match will begin at 3pm and GTV, Star Sports 1, 3 and HD 1 will telecast the game live.
Bangladesh (probable):
Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Anamul Haque/Liton Kumar Das, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Shakib al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe bin Mortaza (C), Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman
South Africa (probable):
Hashim Amla (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Francois du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Jean Paul Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Kyle Abbott/Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir.
