Bangladesh faces tall order despite Shakib's return

Sports Desk: Bangladesh will look to draw inspiration from the return of Shakib Al Hasan, the star allrounder, to put up a better show in the three-match One-Day International series than it did in the Tests. The first ODI is on Sunday (October 15) in Kimberley.

But where Shakib's return is a boost for the visiting side, South Africa itself will be significantly strengthened by the return of AB de Villiers. JP Duminy, who announced his Test retirement earlier this year, will also be present in South African ranks to provide the team with more experience.

The Champions Trophy 2017 in England in June was the last ODI outing for either side. Bangladesh made it to the semifinal after a surprise win over New Zealand, but South Africa crashed out in the group stage itself.

Most recently, the sides locked horns in 2015, when Bangladesh won the last two ODIs of a three-match series to claim the series.

South Africa, however, will start as the firm favourite under Faf du Plessis's leadership. It will be du Plessis's first assignment as full-time ODI captain after he took over the reins from de Villiers, who stepped down from the post after the Champions Trophy.

The home side has won 14 of the 17 ODIs between the sides. At home, it has won six of six — all by handsome margins.

Mushfiqur Rahim, who captained in the Tests, will remain in the squad but the visiting side will have Mashrafe Mortaza at helm. Reputed as being an inspirational leader, together with Shakib he will have an uphill task to instill belief in Bangladesh after being mauled 2-0 in the Tests.

South Africa will look at it as an opportunity to start grooming talent for the 2019 World Cup.

Teams (from)

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wkt), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada.
 

Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Imrul Kayes, Liton Das (wkt), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (wkt), Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed.

Source: www.icc-cricket.com

risingbd/Dhaka/October 14, 2017/A K Azad