Tigers with their backs at the wall would be looking to salvage some of their lost pride as they face indomitable South Africa in the third and final ODI of the three-match series scheduled to be held today (Sunday) at East London.
The match kicks off at 2 pm (BST). Though the third ODI bears little importance for the Tigers but they must be looking to salvage a win after trailing the series 0-2.
On the other hand the Protease will love to complete the white wash following their Test triumphs.
Despite a improve batting performance, Bangladesh could not win and in both ODIs Mushfiqur Rahim stood among the Bangladesh ruins amassing 170 runs in both the matches and has been dismissed once, while opener Imrul Kayes has hit his first fifty this year in second ODI in Paarl.
The rests, however, have fallen after getting their starts. One of the batsmen who may suffer as a result of this inconsistency is Liton Das, who could be replaced by Soumya Sarkar. Another blow at eve of third ODI as star batsman Tamim Iqbal ruled out due to injury.
Bangladesh could promote Shakib to No 3 and replace Liton Das with Soumya Sarkar. Nasir Hossain could also be replaced by Mehidy Hasan or Mohammad Saifuddin, depending on how the Bangladesh team management read the track at Buffalo Park.
On the other hand, South Africa dominance has been driven by their batting. The first two ODIs saw AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock made the most of opportunities.
While Amla and de Kock made hundreds in the first ODI in Kimberley, setting up a record opening partnership in the process, the second match belonged to de Villiers, who hit his career best figure of 176 off only 104 deliveries.
All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan’s quick wickets had given Bangladesh some hope in Paarl but once de Villiers began accelerating, particularly after crossing 100, Bangladesh could do to stop him.
Pacer Rubel Hossain finally dismissed de Villiers to bring some respite but the match highlighted once again that Bangladesh’s bowling performance was not up to the mark so far as they took a total of 13 wickets across three innings in the Test series, and only six in the two ODIs.
Squads:
Bangladesh (probable): Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar/Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin/Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Rubel Hossain and Taskin Ahmed.
South Africa (probable):
Aiden Markram/Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wicket keeper ), Faf du Plessis (captain), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller/Farhaan Behardien, Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir.
