Upbeat Bangladesh look to set T20 record straight
The first T20I will be a test of Bangladesh's pristine confidence, as the hosts take on the established pedigree of South Africa
The Preview by Mohammad Isam in Dhaka
04-Jul-2015
Match facts
Sunday, July 5
Start time 1.00pm local (0700 GMT)
Start time 1.00pm local (0700 GMT)
Big picture
The first T20I will be a test of Bangladesh's pristine confidence, as the hosts take on the established pedigree of South Africa. The tone of the four-week tour could well be set at the venue of the opener - the Shere Bangla National Stadium where Bangladesh are generally fairly comfortable.
South Africa are on their first bilateral tour of Bangladesh since 2008, although they have been here for the 2011 World Cup and 2014 World T20. The last encounter between the two sides was in 2011, when Bangladesh were bowled out for 78 and suffered a humiliating exit from the World Cup.
Going into this game, however, Bangladesh are in completely different shape. They have been quite the form side in 2015, even winning their only T20 of the year, against Pakistan in Mirpur. It was just two days after they had completed a 3-0 ODI series win over them. However, Bangladesh's T20 performance has generally been sub-par, as they have won just 12 out of 42 games.
South Africa, meanwhile, are the second most successful international T20 team currently, just behind Pakistan. The last time they played Bangladesh in this format was in 2008, but curiously, both teams will go into this game having won their last game but lost the previous four.
South Africa's bowling, deemed as their second-string attack, will have to keep Bangladesh's in-form top and middle-order in check. If the hosts' batsmen can hold their own, that battle will intensify. But it could be a lop-sided contest when South Africa bat, particularly against a Bangladesh attack that has many attacking options, but only few proven performers in T20s.
It could be a close affair, but that will depend on how much the home side is given the liberty to play their own game.
Form guide
Bangladesh: WLLLL
South Africa: WLLLL
South Africa: WLLLL
Players to watch
Sohag Gazi will bowl with a new action after being cleared by the ICC in February. He has not racked up impressive numbers in the domestic game this year, but has been chosen in the T20 squad as an attacking option.
Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha has said the bowlers will have to pray that AB de Villiers gets out early. It will be interesting to see whether he bats in the top-order, where he has not been a regular for much of his T20 international career.
Team news
Bangladesh are likely to keep Jubair Hossain, Rony Talukdar and Rubel Hossain in the bench, opting for two left-arm spinners and Sohag Gazi's off-spin in their bowling attack.
Bangladesh (possible): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Litton Das, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Shakib Al Hasan, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Sabbir Rahman, 7 Nasir Hossain, 8 Sohag Gazi, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Arafat Sunny
South Africa could have AB de Villiers as an opener or No 3, according to Faf du Plessis. The visitors could also employ a bit of extra pace in the form of Kagiso Rabada in Mirpur after he impressed in the slow pitch of Fatullah.
South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Rilee Rossouw, 3 AB de Villiers, 4 Faf du Plessis (capt), 5 David Miller, 6 JP Duminy, 7 David Wiese, 8 Wayne Parnell/Chris Morris, 9 Kyle Abbott, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Aaron Phangiso/Eddie Leie
Pitch and conditions
From close inspection, the Mirpur pitch has looked barren even though it was prepared with a bit of juice in the Pakistan and India series. South Africa's pace attack would, however, require the home side to think differently and a slow, low pitch could be the recipe. Some rain has also been forecast after sunset.
Stats and trivia
Quotes
"We appreciate that Bangladesh main side competition will be a lot harder."
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis
"I don't take T20 as too much of a challenge. I don't give it too much of importance."
Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84