ODI Preview: Bangladesh vs South Africa

Cricket365
July 11, 2015

South Africa and Bangladesh have played each other 15 times in ODIs over the years, with the Tigers winning just once, but this three-match series offers the Tigers their best chance to change that statistic, even if they don't win the series.

The Proteas have played six ODIs in Bangladesh, winning all of them, and the last time they played in Dhaka, in the World Cup in 2011, they beat the Tigers by a massive 206 runs. The winning margin is unlikely to be so severe this time, if at all.

While the visitors did win the two-match T20 series with relative ease this past week, the Tigers come into this series on the back of wins over Pakistan and India, beating both Asian giants rather handily. They even whitewashed Pakistan.

South Africa have a strong side though, even with premier batsman and skipper AB de Villiers going home. He was set to miss the first game due to an over-rate suspension, but opted to go home early to be with his heavily pregnant wife. He was not due to play in the Tests anyway.

Also missing is fast bowler Dale Steyn, with the veteran paceman opting to sit out the limited-overs matches and come for the Tests only. Vernon Philander is also missing for these games, though Morne Morkel, Ryan McLaren, and Imran Tahir return.

In the spin department, Aaron Phangiso and JP Duminy represent, but Eddie Leie, who made his debut to such great effect in the second T20, has stuck around. He's not set to play, but has been told to stay with the team to gain experience.

As for the Tigers, they have got Mahmudullah and Anamul Haque back in the team. Both were injured, with Mahmudullah now fit after fracturing his finger, while Anamul hurt his shoulder during the World Cup. They will add some needed batting strength.

The Proteas will be wary of new star Mustafizur Rahman, after he did quite the number on the Indians, taking 13 wickets in the three games. Taskin Ahmed is still out injured with a side strain though, removing a pace option.

Key Men

For the hosts, it's become a bit boring to say Shakib-al-Hasan is their key man, but he is. He has a knack for taking wickets when the batsmen are set, and if the top order gets him into position, he can score very quick runs to steal a game.

For the Proteas, in the absence of AB de Villiers, it will fall to Faf du Plessis to keep the batting order steady. His 79 not out in the first T20 ensured the win on a tough deck, and given they're playing at the same ground, he may be called upon to do so again.

Last Five Head-To-Head Results

2011 World Cup: South Africa won by 206 runs in Dhaka

2008 Third ODI: Match abandoned in East London

2008 Second ODI: South Africa won by 128 runs in Benoni

2008 First ODI: South Africa won by 61 runs in Potchefstroom

2008 Third ODI: South Africa won by seven wickets in Dhaka

Squads

Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan (vice-captain), Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Litton Das, Jubair Hossain, Anamul Haque, Mahmudullah

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, JP Duminy, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Chris Morris, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Abbott, Aaron Phangiso, Wayne Parnell, Ryan McLaren

Fixtures

First ODI: 10 July in Dhaka

Second ODI: 12 July in Dhaka

Third ODI: 15 July in Chittagong