Tigers will play a do or die encounter by taking on the hosts South Africa in their third and last match of the three-match ODI series at Centurion today when Shakib Al Hassan will be the biggest inspiration for them.
However, it is another great occasion waiting for the Tigers if they would win the match, could celebrate another landmark of series win against South Africa at their ground. It will be a bigger achievement for Bangladesh as well, if they could earn the marks they needed to make their room straight in the ICC World Cup 2023.
Bangladesh is optimistic to make their dream come true after an imposing 34 runs victory in the series opening match over South Africa, a stubborn opponent at their home ground.
But the defeat in the second ODI in Johannesburg made it a must win situation for both the Tigers and the hosts South Africa to snatch the series victory.
The well-deserved triumph at Centurion in the first match of the tour might be a boost- up for Bangladesh team, when the series decider match is also going to take place at the same ground, where Bangladesh set the record of winning their first ever ODI match against SA at their home and if they could win the series it would be another milestone for Bangladesh.
Team effort is always important to win a match, if the players can compile a combined support, as there were huge contributions right through the top orders with Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Mahmudullah apart from Sahikib’s scintillating batting when Taskin Ahmed, Mehdi Miraz and Shoriful support a lot with the balls in the first match victory.
All but, the main focus will be on Shakib Al Hassan, as all are eying the world’s best all-rounder, how he would explain his class.
Actually Shakib is the main character of Bangladesh cricket, as he has been playing the key role in most of the Bangladesh win, though he gave birth to so many debates several times on different issues.
The big name of Bangladesh cricket Shakib, who almost always remain on the main focus of the team, ahead of South Africa also there were so much talking about his indecisions, whether he would go or not. He finally went leaving behind all the uncertainty and proved his class playing the most significant role of Bangladesh win with staging an outstanding batting display.
Shakib scored a magnificent 77 off 64 runs to help Bangladesh scoring a mammoth total of 314 runs to throw the hosts a big challenge.
Shakib’s story drew the attention of all as the uncertainty again elevated upstretched ahead of the third ODI when most of his family members (mother, mother in law, two daughters, only son) are in health crisis.
But the best player of the team, who has to face so many questions about his commitments very often, this time set an example after deciding to play the series decider match despite being under huge mental pressure.
Shakib showed his dedication and the duty towards the country when he decided to play the important match rather than to come home despite enormous crisis he is in.
