Bangladesh looks to carry forward ODI momentum against mighty South Africa – 1st ODI preview

Hashim Amla will lead the Proteas in the absence of AB De Villiers

Bangladesh host South Africa in the first of the three One-Day internationals at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium on Friday, with both teams playing their first ODI series since the new rules came into force.

Bangladesh have been in dominating form in the one-day format making Mirpur a fortress of sorts with series victories over Asian counterparts Pakistan and India.The Proteas are playing in their first series post the World Cup but have hit the ground running winning both T20s against the hosts.

Form guide & Team news

Bangladesh

The Tigers have had a memorable 2015 so far, especially in the ODI format. A run to the quarterfinals stage of the World Cup was followed by a comprehensive clean sweep of Pakistan, but the icing on the cake was no doubt the triumph over a full-strength Indian team. The T20 series loss will not hamper the confidence of this young lot led spiritedly by Mushrafe Mortaza and they will be banking on their ferocious supporters to once again pull off an upset in their favourite format.

Not that they needed any extra motivation, but the recent results have put Bangladesh on the brink of qualifying for the 2017 Champions trophy and a solitary win in the three-match series will enable them to book a place at the eight-team event.

Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim starred with the bat against Pakistan while it was the bowlers who did the trick against India, especially a certain young Mustafizur Rahman emerging as the next big thing in world cricket. Mahmudullah making his comeback from injury is a big boost for the hosts and along with Soumya Sarkar forms a formidable batting line up. Shakib Al Hasan and Mortaza provides the experience and will be key players if Bangladesh do manage to pull off a victory.

South Africa

South Africa endured a painful loss against New Zealand at the World Cup semifinal in their last outing in an ODI. Ahead of the series against the same opposition in August, Proteas will be hoping to wipe off those memories by putting in a strong performance against Bangladesh. They will head into the series as undoubted favourites and the T20 victories have given them reason to cheer, especially with spin playing a major factor in them.

The big team news is that captain AB De Villiers has been rested for the series with a view of serving out the one-match ban he picked up for slow over rate in the World Cup. Hashim Amla will be leading the side in his absence. Aaron Phangiso took six wickets and looks set to partner Imran Tahir in the spin department while JP Duminy can chip in with a few overs. Morne Morkel and Kyle Abbott will lead the pace attack while both Ryan McLaren and Wayne Parnell look set to miss out.

Probable Playing XIs

Bangladesh – Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza, Arafat Sunny, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman

South Africa – Hashim Amla, Quinton De Kock, Faf Du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Aaron Phangiso, Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir

Pitch conditions & weather forecast

Reports from Bangladesh suggest the Mirpur pitch will be a slow one favoring the batsman. Spin will not get much assistance, but with the pitch being covered due to persistent rains in the last 24 hours, it could throw up some surprises.

Thunderstorms are predicted in the morning, but it should clear out by the time of the match with no further interruptions forecasted.