Also read: Tamim on way to becoming fit for South Africa ODIs
While the practice match will be played today, a media session with the players or team officials was supposed to be a part of the scheduled media session Wednesday. But strangely, the Tigers manager Minhajul Abedin repeatedly told the journalists that the “team management” has decided not to take part in any media session. Bangladesh team management also did not allow the journalists to see the net sessions two days before the start of the second and final Test match. It seems Bangladesh team did not want to get “interrupted” during intense practice before the second Test. But that strategy did not work out as the Bloemfontein Test ended within two and a half days as Bangladesh suffered an innings and 254-run loss against the dominant Proteas. On the other hand, local South African journalists were allowed to do their duties while the Proteas were practising. A few journalists even went to the field and had a look at the pitch on the eve of the second Test while the Proteas were training at one corner of the field.
Also read: Bangladesh gain ratings despite Test loss
Meanwhile, all eyes were on opener Tamim Iqbal as he was supposed to bat in the nets Wednesday ahead of the ODI series. As it turned out, Tamim only knocked in the nets. It was learnt from the team source that the left-handed opener is on his way to becoming fit and has a good chance of playing the first ODI at De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley Sunday. But the team management is not willing to take any chance in the warm-up game as he hasn’t fully recovered from his thigh injury that cost him his place in the second Test playing XI. However, Tamim took part in a slight running session with fitness trainer Mario Villavarayan and physio Thihan Chandramohan. But Tamim did not look match-fit and it seemed like he still had stiffness while running.
Also read: Bangladesh more competitive after Shakib, Mashrafe additions, says Imrul
Bangladesh were defeated in both the Tests by a huge margin against the host in the last two weeks. With the arrival of ODI captain Mashrafe bin Mortaza, along with all-rounders Shakib al Hasan, Nasir Hossain and Saifuddin, Bangladesh are hoping to play better cricket in the upcoming three-match ODI series. The practice match begins at 10am local time, 2pm Bangladesh standard time.
