Stiff Proteas challenge in front of the Tigers in African soil

In international cricket, the Bangladesh cricket team is now on a tour of South Africa for the ODI and Test bilateral series. The series is going to feature 3 ODIs and 2 Tests. The three-match ODI series between the two teams is starting tomorrow. The first and last match will be played at Centurion’s SuperSport Park. The second match will be played on March 20 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Bangladesh and South Africa have met in a total of 22 ODIs since 2002. South Africa has won 17 matches and Bangladesh has won 5 games in their meetings. In the 5th match of the last ICC World Cup 2019, the Proteas lost to the Tigers by 21 runs at The Oval in London. However, the two teams met in the last bilateral ODI series in October 2017. Where the visiting Bangladesh was whitewashed in that three-match series.

Bangladesh played their last ODI series against visiting Afghanistan. The hosts,  Bangladesh, won the 3-match ODI series by 2-1. South Africa, on the other hand, won their last ODI series against visiting India where they whitewashed the Men in Blue in a 3-match ODI series.

Out of the last 5 ODI series, Bangladesh has won 4 series and lost 1. South Africa has won two, lost two, and drawn one of their last five ODI series. The two winning series were against two cricket giants – India and Australia.

The series between Bangladesh and South Africa is a part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League. The Bangladesh cricket team  is in great form, they are currently at the top of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standing, and South Africa is placed at 10th spot. Due to the team’s recent performances, the South African players have also become pumped up with confidence. But, this time the Proteas are going to play in their home. They will try their best to do something well in the series.

Bangladesh is ranked 7th and South Africa is ranked 5th in the ICC ODI rankings. So Bangladesh will have to work hard in this series to build a stronger position in the points table.

ODI Squad:

South Africa – Temba Bavuma (c), Keshav Maharaj (vc), Kyle Verreynne (wk), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Marco Jansen, Janneman Malan, Zubayr Hamza, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Dwaine Pretorius.

Bangladesh – Tamim Iqbal (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Liton Das (wk), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shakib Al Hasan, Afif Hossain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Ebadot Hossain, Yasir Ali, Nasum Ahmed, and Khaled Ahmed.

ODI match schedule for South Africa and Bangladesh:
1st ODI – 18 March, SuperSport Park (Centurion), 17:00 (GMT+6)
2nd ODI – 20 March, The Wanderers Stadium (Johannesburg), 14:00 (GMT+6)
3rd ODI – 23 March, SuperSport Park (Centurion), 17:00 (GMT+6)