Tigers take on Proteas in first T20 today

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza laid emphasis on playing “fearless cricket” in a bid to counter the might of South Africa, as his side takes on the visitors today in the first T20 International at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The match will begin at 1pm.
South Africa seem almost invincible, as Bangladesh has just one victory across the format. That lone ODI win of Bangladesh came thanks to a magical knock of Mohammad Ashraful in the 2007 World Cup. Bangladesh have, so far, played 14 ODIs, eight Tests, and two T20 Internationals against South Africa, but they last played against each other four years ago, during the 2011 World Cup in Bangladesh. The memory of that match still hurts Bangladesh, as they were bowled out for just 78 runs in front of the partisan crowd. “No doubt—their batting, bowling and fielding have been outstanding. They can restrict us in all departments. So, yes, they are ahead of us. We don’t have too many T20 specialists. But, as a group, we believe that if we can hold on to our game, we will do well,” Mashrafe told reporters during the pre-match conference yesterday.

“The positive thing for us will be that we will play with guts. T20 cricket is about guts, freedom, and how you use your head.”
Bangladesh cricket has seen good days over the last few months. The team made the knockout stage for the first time in the World Cup, which was complemented by the historical series victories over Pakistan and India. But now, they have to face a sterner task to sustain their successful run. The South African team is a far more professional and consistent unit than those of Pakistan and India. They have been consistent in all formats of cricket for a long time. The team is bolstered by some of the finest batsmen and bowlers in the world.
“Honestly, we have many challenges ahead. We have to win away games. In Test cricket, we haven’t reached that level. I don’t want to give T20 cricket a lot of importance, but yes, because there is a World Cup ahead, we have to concentrate on this format,” Mashrafe said.
“We don’t get opportunities to play T20 cricket at home either. Most players don't participate. So yes, from that aspect, it seems to be difficult. But then if we think so much, there will be more pressure on us. There is pressure, but the only way out is to think about doing well and staying positive. That’s all we are trying to do. Obviously, the Proteas have batsmen like AB de Villiers who can change the game, but he, too, is human.”
While Mashrafe displayed an urgency to be positive and bold, South Africa’s captain Faf Du Plessis also warned his side not to take Bangladesh for granted.
“I think there are a few players, the nice thing about the Bangladeshi team at the moment is the new guys coming through, and that can be dangerous inT20 cricket,” Du Plessis said. “The T20 format is much shorter. You don’t have two overs where you, as a batsman, can seek out the bowler and then try to play him differently. You have to make decisions quickly. Sometimes, the unknown can also be very dangerous.”
Earlier, the two captains unveiled the T20 series trophy at a ceremony at the media centre of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

 

Tigers take on Proteas in first T20 today

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza laid emphasis on playing fearless cricket in a bid to counter the might of South Africa, as his side takes on the visitors today in the first T20 International at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The match will begin at 1pm. South Africa seem almost invincible, as Bangladesh has just one victory across the format. That lone ODI win of Bangladesh came thanks to a magical knock of Mohammad Ashraful in the 2007 World Cup. Bangladesh have, so far, played 14 ODIs, eight Tests, and two T20 Internationals against South Africa, but they last played against each other four years ago, during the 2011 World Cup in Bangladesh. The memory of that match still hurts Bangladesh, as they were bowled out for just 78 runs in front of the partisan crowd. No doubttheir batting, bowling and fielding have been outstanding. They can restrict us in all departments. So, yes, they are ahead of us. We dont have too many T20 specialists. But, as a group, we believe that if we can hold on to our game, we will do well, Mashrafe told reporters during the pre-match conference yesterday. The positive thing for us will be that we will play with guts. T20 cricket is about guts, freedom, and how you use your head. Bangladesh cricket has seen good days over the last few months. The team made the knockout stage for the first time in the World Cup, which was complemented by the historical series victories over Pakistan and India. But now, they have to face a sterner task to sustain their successful run. The South African team is a far more professional and consistent unit than those of Pakistan and India. They have been consistent in all formats of cricket for a long time. The team is bolstered by some of the finest batsmen and bowlers in the world. Honestly, we have many challenges ahead. We have to win away games. In Test cricket, we havent reached that level. I dont want to give T20 cricket a lot of importance, but yes, because there is a World Cup ahead, we have to concentrate on this format, Mashrafe said. We dont get opportunities to play T20 cricket at home either. Most players dont participate. So yes, from that aspect, it seems to be difficult. But then if we think so much, there will be more pressure on us. There is pressure, but the only way out is to think about doing well and staying positive. Thats all we are trying to do. Obviously, the Proteas have batsmen like AB de Villiers who can change the game, but he, too, is human. While Mashrafe displayed an urgency to be positive and bold, South Africas captain Faf Du Plessis also warned his side not to take Bangladesh for granted. I think there are a few players, the nice thing about the Bangladeshi team at the moment is the new guys coming through, and that can be dangerous inT20 cricket, Du Plessis said. The T20 format is much shorter. You dont have two overs where you, as a batsman, can seek out the bowler and then try to play him differently. You have to make decisions quickly. Sometimes, the unknown can also be very dangerous. Earlier, the two captains unveiled the T20 series trophy at a ceremony at the media centre of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.