|| CF Correspondent ||

Bangladesh is set to bat first in their World Cup opener against South Africa at The Oval on Sunday. However coin favoured the South Africa captain Faf du Plessis who decided to bowl first in a wicket where there is believed to have some carry and bounce for the pace bowlers.

Ending all speculation, Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal recovered from his wrist injury and would open the innings.  Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, the hero of tri-series final however was chosen to play as No.7 batsman, replacing Sabbir Rahman.

Despite their 95-run loss to India in the warm-up game, Bangladesh are high on confidence as they lifted the tri-series trophy in Ireland as unbeaten champions. Even though Mashrafe said the tri-series tournament is now past, the magnitude of the victory is huge given it was the first major trophy that they won in a tournament involving three or more teams.

“We are confident, had a good preparation. South Africa losing that day doesn't matter. We have to play hard. It's a good wicket to bat on. Tamim is playing. Everyone is fit to play. Our top XI are playing,” said Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.

The players showed good from there, much to the elation of the team management and installed belief in the side that they are match for any teams in the World.

And what would give them more confidence is that they are slightly successful team than South Africa since 2018. In this period, both of the teams won 18 matches but Bangladesh played 27 matches, one less than South Africa.

After being flayed by hosts and tournament favourite England in the first match by 104 runs, South Africa will look to get first points under the belt. Hashim Amla however was ruled out from the place after receiving injury in the first match against England. Chris Morris replaced him.

“We'll have a bowl. Playing an extra seamer today, and we would like to attack the Bangladeshis in the first 15 overs. We did really well to restrict the strong England line-up to 300ish, and we were one partnership away from a really close chase. Amla's out, so Miller comes back in. Morris comes in as well, as I said we are trying to take advantage of the bounce on the wicket,” Faf Du Plessis said.

Bangladesh in fact won just one match against South Africa in World Cup while lost two including being all out for 78 in Dhaka in 2011 World Cup. In overall head-to-head battle, South Africa has the massive advantage of winning 17 matches in 20 encounters. Bangladesh won just three, of which two came in 2015 home series when Bangladesh beat the Proteas by 2-1 for the first time in bilateral series.