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The Tigers are looking for another victory against South Africa today at the Wanderers after claiming their first win over the Proteas on their home soil at Centurion on Friday.
Bangladesh stunned the hosts as they registered a historic win over South Africa by 38 runs in the first match of the three One-Day Internationals, part of the ICC Men’s World Cup Super League.
Tamim Iqbal, the ODI captain of Bangladesh, said in the post-match presentation ceremony that he was aiming at a series win.
“It’s a big win for us. I’m very proud of the way the team played. We can win the series. We have to give ourselves every chance. They will be eager to bounce back,” Tamim said on Friday.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a star performer of the first ODI with four wickets, also said that the win has broadened their horizon.
“You have to dream big to achieve things and prosper. We want to win matches away from home. We have big dreams, and we want to win the Asia Cup and become World Cup champions,” he said in a video message from South Africa.
The first ODI was a textbook example of a collective effort as every single player from Bangladesh put their hearts out, and Miraz expects everybody will do the same on Sunday.
“Whenever we perform as a team, we win most of the matches. It is difficult for us to win with one or two performances. We batted well and executed our game plans. The partnership between Shakib (Al Hasan) Bhai and Yasir (Ali Chowdhury) gave us momentum and pushed us towards a big total. I, (Mahmudullah) Riyad Bhai, and Afif (Hossain) got some runs in the latter parts and finished the innings nicely,” said Miraz.
“The batsman gave us enough runs to defend. Taskin Bhai bowled really well and the two wickets in his first spell helped us. Shoriful (Islam) got us important breakthroughs, and we bowled well as a unit,” he added.
Bangladesh are keen to repeat the same performance and reap the same result in the second ODI of the series at Johannesburg on Friday.
South Africa now face uncertainty regarding their qualification in the upcoming 2023 World Cup as they are 10th with only 39 points. They are likely to bring in leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in the XI instead of Keshav Maharaj.
“Leaving out Shamsi, we weren’t expecting the wicket to be one that will assist spin. We also don’t think it necessarily did, so that was the thinking from the Shamsi point of view,” Bavuma said after the match on Friday.
The Proteas also missed the experienced Quinton De Kock, who had scored a match-winning hundred against India in his last appearance but did not play against Bangladesh at Centurion.
Cricket South Africa informed that the opener is undergoing a graduated return to play following a recent illness, and his progress is being monitored by the medical team. A call on his availability for Sunday’s ODI, the Pink Day ODI at the Wanderers, will be made before the game.
A loss against Bangladesh at home dented the confidence of the proteas as an omen of missing out on direct qualification erupted.