A rejuvenated Bangladesh cricket team is facing the prospect of changing their history when they take on South Africa in the series deciding final one-day international in Chittagong on Wednesday. The Tigers are yet to clinch a three-match one-day international series after falling behind in the first match despite creating several chances in the past at home and abroad.With the series now locked 1-1 after Bangladesh’s dominant seven-wicket win in the second match, the Tigers reached Chittagong on Monday from one win away to confirm another historic series win.
In the past Bangladesh faced the prospect at least three times when they came from behind to level the series only to fall at the final hurdle.
In 2004, Bangladesh post their first win on home soil to square off series against India before losing the third and final game by 91 runs. Two years later in 2006, the Tigers stunned Sri Lanka in Bogra with a win in the second match before they lost to the islanders by 78 runs in the last game in Chittagong.
The last time a similar opportunity occurred in 2010 when they lost by 144 runs after leveling the series with England.
During all three previous series, Bangladesh’s wins were considered as upsets and therefore it was unsurprising to see them facing the backlash of opponents in the final match.
However, things have changed considerably this time, meaning no one is calling their win now an upset and writing them off for the final game. They reached Chittagong with as much prospect as visiting South Africa, which is also a testament of their new-found tag of emerging Asian force.
Chief selector Faruk Ahmed firmly believes that Tigers’ coming from behind against the Proteas erased all doubts about them by showing their true character.
It only suggests they are capable of crossing the final hurdle, said Faruk.
‘The strength of a good side is judged on how they respond to a situation when chips are down,’ Faruk told New Age on Monday.
‘It speaks volume of their depth,’ said the selector. ‘The win against Proteas is clearly indicating we are on the track.
‘We would be definitely eyeing to win the series as we believe we are capable of beating them, though it wont be easy against an opponent of their stature,’ he said.
Bangladesh recently clinched their maiden ODI series win against Pakistan and India to prove their worth raising a great expectation on them.
Hence, their dominating win came as no surprise and it will not be also much unexpected to see them carry the momentum to win the series in Chittagong.
‘It’s called logical sequence,’ said Faruk adding ‘It’s important to follow the process correctly as the result is bound to come through,’ he said.
‘We only emphasised on it and kept our patience. It pays off so far and hopefully it will give us another success in the third ODI,’ he said.
-With New Age input