Tigers enjoy most of their success in one-day internationals and their comfort will augment as Proteas skipper AB de Villiers will miss the three-match ODI series against them that starts at Mirpur today. For many cricket lovers de Villiers is the best batsman in contemporary cricket for his unique blend of aggression and immaculate technique. The 31-year old batsman is the owner of the quickest ever ODI hundred off 31 balls and the same man once scored 33 runs off 220 balls to help his team salvage a draw by proving his versatility and batting prowess.
The impact of the man, who is also one of the best fielders in the world, can only be realised by his aggression by the way he destroys opponents and not only through statistics.
However, that also suggests him as a modern-day great who is just 59-run away from 8,000 runs with an average of 53.65 and a strike rate of 99.12.
De Villiers, who had been expected to lead the ODI squad in the series, was withdrawn by South Africa for the entire series after it was confirmed that he will miss the opening game due to a ban.
The ban was imposed after a slow over-rate during their World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.
Team management opted to rest him considering their hectic schedule ahead and handed the captaincy role to de Villiers’ deputy Hashim Amla.
On Thursday both Amla and Bangladeshi captain Mashrafee bin Murtaza discussed about the absence of de Villiers and his impact on the series.
‘AB de Villiers is such a batsman whom not only a bowler but the whole team respect,’ said Mashrafee.
‘I think South Africa will have deep concern of missing him. We must use the opportunity,’ the Bangladesh skipper added.
However, Mashrafee was aware of the fact that even without de Villiers the Proteas have the ability to beat his side.
‘They have some other big stars like Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock who frequently score centuries and big runs.
‘They will be a big threat for us, but the absence of de Villiers is a great opportunity for us, said the captain with a sigh of relief.
Mashrafee’s counterpart Amla echoed with him as well.
‘Yeah the team will miss him,’ he said. ‘But we wish him well, his wife is going to give birth, the family always comes first in our team’, said the captain in a philosophical notion envisaging the bigger frame of world.
However, he also sees the brighter part of it as he believes this will create some opportunities for some other players.
‘Yeah, the team will miss him, he is definitely the best batter in the world. So, we will miss him but it’s good that someone else gets the opportunity,’ said Amla.
-With New Age input
