After quite a few experiments in the opening combination, Bangladesh opted for Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya Sarkar pair in their first game in this campaign.
Shanto-Soumya put up a 43-run partnership and it was Bangladesh's first 40-plus run opening stand after 30 innings in Twenty20 Internationals.
Although Soumya scored only a run-a-ball 14 against the Netherlands, expectations will be high on the left-hander against the Proteas in the next game Thursday.
Soumya has a very good record against South Africa in white-ball cricket as he scored 135 runs in five T20I innings with an average of 27 and strike rate of 155.17.
And in ODIs, he has totaled 255 runs in five innings with an average of 63.75 and strike rate of 113.85.
Even when Bangladesh had defeated the Proteas in the 50-over World Cup back in 2019, Soumya scored 42 off just 30 balls.
The southpaw laid the foundation for a good total which the Tigers successfully defended at The Oval.
Bangladesh have never defeated South Africa in seven T20Is and if they want to bring an end to this drought, then Soumya needs to play a big role at opening, and carry on his impressive form against the Proteas.
