SA v BAN, 3rd ODI Preview: South Africa turns towards the bench for the dead rubber contest

Many expected South Africa to get the better of Bangladesh quite easily, but to win the series this comprehensively was completely not expected. After Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock spanked them in the first ODI, it was the masterful AB de Villiers who made a stunning comeback and plucked the bones out of the visitors.

Not one day did the Tigers enjoyed being on the field on this entire tour. Lack of experience is clearly showing as they are more used to playing on tracks which are a little slow and assist the spinners. Their experienced players like Mahmudullah, Shakib, and Tamim Iqbal have not been up to the mark, but Mushfiqur has been outstanding. With the ball, there’s nothing to talk about, they were catastrophic.

On the contrary, how emphatic have the Proteas have been against this lackluster unit! With the ball, Andile Phehlukwayo and Kagiso Rabada’s efforts didn’t get the deserved attention thanks to the huge numbers amassed by their batsmen, but they’ve been splendid. Another high-scoring game is definitely up for grabbing and a Sunday afternoon will only get better if some records are put to bed.

Probable XI

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis (C), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Wiaan Mulder, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir

BANGLADESH: Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza(C), Rubel Hossain, Taskin Ahmed

Focus will be on

Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

Quinton de Kock never attempts to play audacious cricketing shots like De Villiers does, yet, he amasses runs as quickly as anyone. The swashbuckling opener has been determined to break plenty of records since his debut and is doing a great job as well. He registered the highest partnership for South Africa for any wicket with Hashim Amla and will be accompanied by a new opener as the latter is rested.

Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh)

People can do nothing but spare a thought for the little man with a brave heart, Mushfiqur Rahim. After becoming the first Bangladeshi cricketer to score a hundred against South Africa, he fought hard in the second ODI which was way out of their reach. Hands down their best player in the series, Mushfiqur will have to pull out another good performance to thwart any sort of humiliation.

Playing combinations

South Africa

After an impressive Test debut, Aiden Makram is gearing up for his ODI debut and he will be opening the innings with Quinton de Kock, with Faf du Plessis at 3. AB de Villiers will follow next with JP Duminy and David Miller taking the next two spots.

Youngster Wiaan Mulder will be making his debut on Sunday and he will be sharing the fast bowling duties with Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Paterson, and Kagiso Rabada. Imran Tahir will be their lone spinner as always and with four pro fast bowlers, they are looking to hunt the Tigers down on Sunday.

Bangladesh

Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar will embark the innings as Tamim Iqbal has traveled back to Bangladesh. Shakib might be batting at number 3, followed by Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, and Mehidy Hasan in the middle order.

Mustafizur Rahman is unavailable as well, which leaves a majority of the responsibility on Mashrafe Mortaza and Taskin Ahmed. Rubel Hossain will be their third fast bowling option with Mehidy Hasan likely to get a game. His spin partner will be the experienced Shakib Al Hasan, but they won’t get much assistance from the track.

StatAttack

1- Imrul Kayes needs 1 more run to complete 2,000 ODI runs.

7 – AB de Villiers became only the 7th batsman in ODIs to register 25 centuries.

54 – Sabbir Rahman needs 54 runs to complete 1,000 ODI runs.