Follow UsWith the first ODI set to begin on March 18 (Friday), Bangladesh’s skipper Tamim Iqbal is confident of his side’s chances against the Proteas in the three-match series. While Bangladesh have massively struggled against the Proteas in bilateral series, they have in the past, twice succeeded against them in the 50-over World Cup.
''We don't have lot of experience playing here but one thing is for sure that there will be lot of challenges. We are certain that they will come hard against us (considering we have beaten them in the World Cup) and we have to handle that," Tamim said in the presser.
Unlike the Test series, South Africa would be with full strength for the upcoming ODI series. Tamim stressed that starting well would be vital for the Asian side to compete against the Proteas. However, for that, the southpaw emphasized on the visitors to play fearless brand of cricket.
''We have played well against them in the World Cup and there is no reason why we can't do it here, but whatever I say, how we are making the start is important and later we will see how to proceed.”
''If we have to change things around, we need to play fearless brand of cricket and we have to face the challenge. I won't say this series is difficult but is will be challenging and we should be able to take that challenge, considering apart from one or two guys, everyone has played around 40 to 50 ODIs and so everyone knows what is their role,'' he said.
In the lead-up to the series in the Rainbow nation, the Asian side appointed the duo of Allan Donald and Albie Morkel to help them in various capacities. While Donald was named as the pace bowling coach, Morkel has joined the Tigers as the power-hitting batting coach.
''We have done three to four sessions here and we are trying to get adjusted with the conditions, but you have to remember that we don't play in this conditions all the time,” Iqbal said of the conditions.
''Donald joined while Morkel is with us for the last two days and we are trying to get as much information as possible. What I want to say is that you can have lots of information from them but how you execute in the middle is all that matters,'' he said.