There are no favourites in a T20: Ashraful
TigerCricket.com
JOHANNESBURG: After basking in the sun for the better part of two days The Bangladesh side trained under gloomy skies at the Wanderers today afternoon. The rain never came despite the clouds and the odd lightning and the tourists’ preparation for tomorrow’s day/night T20 international against South Africa was not disrupted.
After the nets at the outdoor practice centre the Tigers had a 40 minutes fielding session under lights.
Bangladesh have picked a 12 for the game leaving out batsman Mehrab Hossain and pacers Nazmul Hossain and Mahbubul Alam. Batsman Imrul Kayes and Naeem Islam are set for T20 debut in the match which is scheduled for a 6pm start (10pm BST).
Johannesburg has some 10-15 thousand Bangladeshi expats and a good number of them are expected at the game.
Tigers skipper Mohammad Ashraful said the team was eager to impress in their first outing of the tour.
“We have come here with a lot of confidence following some pretty good individual performances against New Zealand. In bowling and fielding we did well in Australia also. The weather here now is pretty similar to what we have back home so we’re feeling very comfortable,” said Ashraful while speaking to local media representatives.
The captain felt the batsmen had reasons to feel good about playing in South Africa. “Obviously the wickets are different here but they are good for batting. If you get set then runs will come and there is value for the shots.”
Ashraful also agreed that the shorter version promises a more even contest.
“In a Twenty20 game everything happens fast and any team can win. South Africa are a formidable opponent and are number two in the world but in this shortened match you can’t have an outright favourite.”
“We are focusing on the ODI and Test series but tomorrow’s game also gives us an opportunity to start on a high and we want to do well,” said Ashraful.
Asked whether the defection to the Indian Cricket League by a group of players had weakened the team Ashraful thought it hasn’t had that much of an impact on the side.
“All of us are more or less cricketers of similar standards and we don’t have any superstars. Therefore we are not really missing anybody. On the other hand the new guys who have come in are extremely talented and have performed at academy, first class and A team levels and I’m very excited for them. I’m sure they’ll prove their worth,” said Ashraful.
Bangladesh (XII): Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Tamim Iqbal, Zunaed Siddique, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Roqibul Hassan, Mushfiqur Rahim (Wicketkeeper), Naeem Islam, Masrafe Bin Mortaza (Vice Captain), Abdur Razzak, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain.
South Africa (XI): Johan Botha (Captain), Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers (Wicketkeeper), JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Rory Kleinveldt, Johann Louw, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Dale Steyn.