�Tigers more confident in ODI cricket�

The return to the one-day cricket following a scratchy T20 series serves as the icing on the cake for Bangladesh. The hosts have won 10 in their last 11 matches and thereby would be confident to counter the might of South Africa in this format, unlike the T20 series in which they were swept by 2-0.
In the last three series at home since December last year, Bangladesh whitewashed Zimbabwe and Pakistan in five-match series and three-match series respectively while were on the verge of inflicting third successive whitewash but India won the last match to stem Bangladesh’s 10 matches winning streak.
Despite losing the recent match and being all out for 96 against South Africa in their first  encounter, Bangladesh players thought they would be properly motivated in the ODI series because of their recent success.
“We are more confident side in ODI cricket because of our recent success. We’ve been playing consistently well in this format, so we’ll remain motivated,” Opener Tamim Iqbal said ahead of the team’s practice session yesterday.
“We are not good side in T20 and Test cricket because we don’t get much opportunity to play those two formats. Even domestically I am in doubt whether we played at least five T20 matches in a year. So we are not used to play in this format. You may think that we are giving excuse after losing the T20 series but the truth is that we don’t play many matches.”
But the loss in the series is believed to make a negative impact on Bangladesh who in the recent past have never started the series with defeat. Tamim looked unfazed as he reckoned all is not finished for just being defeated in the two matches.
“It’s not the end of the world. All is not ended for the loss in the last two matches. But yes we could have played better cricket what we showed. The target of 149 was achievable while we may not overhaul the target of 170 in the second match but we could have scared them,” he admitted.
“However it’s not good to start the series with the loss but as I said earlier, we are confident side in ODI cricket and we’ve been performing consistently well, so we are looking forward the ODI series.”
The common belief is that the Proteas will be tough nut to crack unlike India and Pakistan. Tamim stayed upbeat that if they could do their job perfectly what they did against India and Pakistan, it won’t be impossible to crack South Africa.
“We never said strongly that we would win the series against India and Pakistan. What we said if we could do our job perfectly, we’ll win against them. I don’t think we need to do something extraordinary to win against South Africa. If we could do the things what we did against India and Pakistan, it would be enough. Yes the South Africa are very much professional and their bowling, batting strength has been good and that’s why they are in the number 1 or 2 position always.”
Acknowledging the absence of AB de Villiers in the ODI series will give Bangladesh a huge sigh of relief, Tamim said, “de Villiers’ absence would give even Australia or any side of the world a sigh of relief, not only Bangladesh. He is the kind of batsman who can destroy any bowling attack and change the complexion of the game in any format single handedly. So his absence is blessings
for us.”
“But at the end, you have to plan against all of the 11 players. But what is good for us that if Villiers is in the team, we have to give him extra focus.”
The swashbuckling opener said that they need at least two or three matches to understand the impact of the new rules of the ODI cricket which will come to effect with the first ODI between Bangladesh and South Africa on Friday.
According to the new rules, the key changes for the ODI is that no compulsory catchers in overs 1-10,  no batting Powerplay between overs 15-40, five  fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in overs 41-50 and all “no balls”,  not just “foot faults”, to result in a free hit.
The opener, also a vital cog of the team’s planning believed their spin strength is much better than that of South Africa despite the spinners of the visitors outshine Bangladesh counterpart in the Twenty20 series.
“Their spinners showed a better performance and now Imran Tahir is coming who bowled exceptionally well in the sub-continent but still our spinners are ranked high. Shakib has been the top spinner in the world for long and our other spinners are also useful in this condition.

�Tigers more confident in ODI cricket�

The return to the one-day cricket following a scratchy T20 series serves as the icing on the cake for Bangladesh. The hosts have won 10 in their last 11 matches and thereby would be confident to counter the might of South Africa in this format, unlike the T20 series in which they were swept by 2-0. In the last three series at home since December last year, Bangladesh whitewashed Zimbabwe and Pakistan in five-match series and three-match series respectively while were on the verge of inflicting third successive whitewash but India won the last match to stem Bangladeshs 10 matches winning streak. Despite losing the recent match and being all out for 96 against South Africa in their first encounter, Bangladesh players thought they would be properly motivated in the ODI series because of their recent success. We are more confident side in ODI cricket because of our recent success. Weve been playing consistently well in this format, so well remain motivated, Opener Tamim Iqbal said ahead of the teams practice session yesterday. We are not good side in T20 and Test cricket because we dont get much opportunity to play those two formats. Even domestically I am in doubt whether we played at least five T20 matches in a year. So we are not used to play in this format. You may think that we are giving excuse after losing the T20 series but the truth is that we dont play many matches. But the loss in the series is believed to make a negative impact on Bangladesh who in the recent past have never started the series with defeat. Tamim looked unfazed as he reckoned all is not finished for just being defeated in the two matches. Its not the end of the world. All is not ended for the loss in the last two matches. But yes we could have played better cricket what we showed. The target of 149 was achievable while we may not overhaul the target of 170 in the second match but we could have scared them, he admitted. However its not good to start the series with the loss but as I said earlier, we are confident side in ODI cricket and weve been performing consistently well, so we are looking forward the ODI series. The common belief is that the Proteas will be tough nut to crack unlike India and Pakistan. Tamim stayed upbeat that if they could do their job perfectly what they did against India and Pakistan, it wont be impossible to crack South Africa. We never said strongly that we would win the series against India and Pakistan. What we said if we could do our job perfectly, well win against them. I dont think we need to do something extraordinary to win against South Africa. If we could do the things what we did against India and Pakistan, it would be enough. Yes the South Africa are very much professional and their bowling, batting strength has been good and thats why they are in the number 1 or 2 position always. Acknowledging the absence of AB de Villiers in the ODI series will give Bangladesh a huge sigh of relief, Tamim said, de Villiers absence would give even Australia or any side of the world a sigh of relief, not only Bangladesh. He is the kind of batsman who can destroy any bowling attack and change the complexion of the game in any format single handedly. So his absence is blessings for us. But at the end, you have to plan against all of the 11 players. But what is good for us that if Villiers is in the team, we have to give him extra focus. The swashbuckling opener said that they need at least two or three matches to understand the impact of the new rules of the ODI cricket which will come to effect with the first ODI between Bangladesh and South Africa on Friday. According to the new rules, the key changes for the ODI is that no compulsory catchers in overs 1-10, no batting Powerplay between overs 15-40, five fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in overs 41-50 and all no balls, not just foot faults, to result in a free hit. The opener, also a vital cog of the teams planning believed their spin strength is much better than that of South Africa despite the spinners of the visitors outshine Bangladesh counterpart in the Twenty20 series. Their spinners showed a better performance and now Imran Tahir is coming who bowled exceptionally well in the sub-continent but still our spinners are ranked high. Shakib has been the top spinner in the world for long and our other spinners are also useful in this condition.