DHAKA — A fast-improving Bangladesh is confident of upsetting another of world cricket's powerhouses on home turf when it takes on South Africa in a three-match ODI series starting Friday. Although Bangladesh suffered a 2-0 reverse in the recent Twenty20 series against the visitors, the game's one-time whipping boys have become a force to be reckoned with in the 50-over format and have not lost an ODI series at home since February last year.
After their making it to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in their history earlier this year, Bangladesh then trounced Pakistan 3-0 in April before following up with a 2-1 triumph over India last month.
Although India's consolation win marked the end of a record 10-match home winning streak, Bangladeshi opening batsman Tamim Iqbal said that confidence in the camp was high despite losing the T20s to the Proteas.
“In the past year, the players have been reading ODIs much better and that's the reason I am sure that we will get more success in this format,” Tamim told reporters ahead of the opening match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.
“So as a unit we are obviously confident. You can't lose all your confidence because of one or two defeats. When it comes to ODIs, we are a lot more confident unit and we will only grow in confidence.”
A victory would cement Bangladesh's place in the eight-team ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 which would be another important milestone in the side's development.
Faf du Plessis, who led the South Africans in the T20s but will now hand over the captaincy for the ODIs to Hashim Amla, said the Proteas had managed to dent the host's confidence with their triumph in the shortest format.
“But I also appreciate and understand that one-day cricket is a different format so we will go back to making sure we prepare really well for the one day series,” du Plessis told reporters.
South Africa is resting its normal ODI captain AB de Villiers who would anyway have been banned from the first game as punishment for a slow over rate during the World Cup semifinal loss against New Zealand.
Coach Russell Domingo insisted that the absence of one of the world's best batsmen could be a blessing in disguise as South Africa looks to rebuild after its World Cup disappointment.
Leg-spinner Eddie Leie has replaced de Villiers in the ODI squad.
Bangladesh has recalled batsmen Mohammad Mahmudullah and Anamul Haque in its 14-man squad. The second and third ODIs will be held on July 12 and 15 in Dhaka and Chittagong. The two teams will also play a two-Test series following the ODIs.
Williamson to lead NZ
Kane Williamson will captain New Zealand in the limited overs series in Zimbabwe and South Africa next month in the absence of Brendon McCullum, who is being rested.
McCullum and fast bowler Tim Southee have been omitted from the touring squad to recover from a heavy workload since the Cricket World Cup. Leading swing bowler Trent Boult and all-rounder Corey Anderson are unavailable because of injuries.
Batsmen Tom Latham and Colin Munro have been recalled along with all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and fast bowler Adam Milne, who have recently recovered from injury.
New Zealand will play three ODIs and a Twenty20 international against Zimbabwe at Harare between Aug. 2 and 9 and two Twenty20 matches and three ODIs against South Africa from August 14 to 26. — Agencies
