South Africa seek crucial CWCSL points against table-toppers Bangladesh

MATCH CENTRE

• South Africa vs Bangladesh, first ODI
• SuperSport Park, Centurion
• 18 March 2022, 10 AM local time

South Africa go into the series currently placed 10th in the CWCSL standings with only three wins from 10 games. They went through a lean patch last year in the 50-over format as they lost at home to Pakistan, drew against Ireland away and then lost a series in Sri Lanka. However, they did manage to bounce back by whitewashing India 3-0 and will be hoping to take that momentum forward.

Given South Africa have a full-strength ODI squad – bar Anrich Nortje – at their disposal, they will look at this series against Bangladesh as an opportunity to climb the CWCSL table.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, find themselves at the top of the CWCSL table after 10 wins in 15 games. They have been brilliant at home, winning the trial by spin on numerous occasions, but playing South Africa in their home condition is going to be especially challenging, considering the Tigers haven't won a single ODI in South Africa in nine attempts.

Bangladesh too are at full strength and have form on their side as well. If they are to break their hoodoo against the Proteas in their homeland, this could be as good an opportunity as they have ever had.

Remember the last time

The last time Bangladesh faced South Africa in a bilateral ODI series, they were humbled 3-0 by the Proteas at home.

The first ODI saw South Africa chase down 279 without losing a wicket, with Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla both scoring a hundred.

In the second ODI, the Tigers were demolished by AB de Villiers' 104-ball 176 that saw South Africa post 353. Bangladesh fell 104 runs short in their response.

And the Proteas increased their margin of win in the third ODI after posting a target of 370 before bowling Bangladesh out for 169 to whitewash them 3-0.

They did meet once more in ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 where Bangladesh got the better of the Proteas at the Oval. Bangladesh set a target of 331 on the back of fifties from Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim. In reply, South Africa fell 21 runs short with Mustafizur Rahman starring with the ball for the Tigers with a three-for.

What they said

Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal is confident ahead of the South Africa series: "We don't have a great record in South Africa but records can change.

"A great example is our Test win in New Zealand. We turned things around there after many years.

"We couldn't win in 30-32 matches in New Zealand but the Test team changed that. I am hopeful this team will force the same change [in South Africa]. Belief makes a big difference."