The South African cricket team skipper, for T20I and ODI matches against Bangladesh, Faf du Plessis in his first appearance to media on Wednesday praised the Tigers’ recent improvement in cricket arena at a press conference at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium (SBNCS) in Mirpur.
“Its incredible improvement since the World Cup, I really respect,” the captain said. The captain also said that they are always very respectful over their opponent teams in cricket.
Observing conditions the Proteas skipper said,”It’s very worm, heat is a big challenge for teams in the subcontinent.”
In a query du Plessis replied,”I’m not sure that Bangladesh will include four or more spinner or pacer in their bowling line up against us, like against India.”
South African head coach Russell Domingo said,”For cricket, this subcontinent is really good, but, I think a series is always a tough challenge for a coach.”
Earlier, the South African side arrived Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon to play two T20Is, three ODIs and two Test matches against the youthful Bangladesh in the five-week long Npoly National Polymar Cricket Series.
The South Africans began their practice session on Wednesday at 2:00pm at SBNCS.
Following a two-day of practice session, the visitors will go for a 20-over practice match against BCB XI at the Khan Saheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah on Friday (July 3).
The main battle of the full-fledged bilateral series starts with a T20I on Sunday (July 5) at SBNCS while the second T20I take place at the same venue on Tuesday (July 7), both will begin from will begin 1:00pm Bangladesh time.
This is Protean’s first tour ever since following their semi-final exit in the recently concluded World Cup.
The Tigers’ are in a fruitful tempo as they whitewashed Pakistan 3-0 for the first time and registered first ever series victory over giant India 2-0 with their 10th successive ODI victory at home.
The Tigers’ have to battle hard this time as the World Cup semi-finalists South Africa, have a tremendous dominant record against Bangladesh in all the three formats of cricket against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh lost all the eight Test matches against South Africa, including seven by innings defeat, among 14 ODI tussles, Bangladesh won only one match against South Africa in 2007 ICC World Cup. In T20I, Bangladesh lost both matches.
The 1st and 2nd ODI matches scheduled to be held at SBNCS on July 10 and 12 respectively, both at begin from 12:00pm.
The South Africa team will travel to the port city of Chittagong on July 13 to play the 3rd and last ODI on July 15, begin at 12:00pm, at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
After the a two-day Eid break ,on July 18-19, the visitors will play the 1st Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, hittagong on July 21-25, beginning at 9:30 am.
The Proteas team will move to capital Dhaka on July 26 to play the 2nd and last Test against Bangladesh on July 30 to August 3 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, before departing Bangladesh on Aug 4.
South Africa ODI Squad: Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Quinton de Kock, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Hashim Amla (Captain), Morne Morkel, AB De Villiers, Rilee Rossouw, David Miller, Chris Morris, Kyle Abbott, Wayne Parnell, Imran Tahir, Farhaan Berhardien and Ryan McLaren.
South Africa Test Squad: Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Quinton de Kock, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Hashim Amla (Captain), Morne Morkel, Dean Elgar, Reeza Hendricks, Stiaan van Zyl, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Simon Harmer, Themba Bavuma and Dane Vilas.
