Mashrafe Mortaza feels Bangladesh can dominate the Proteas on their soil

The Bangladesh cricket team is all set to play their first tour of South Africa in nine years. The series, comprising of two Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20 International (T20I) matches is scheduled to take place in September and October 2017. Mashrafe Mortaza has revealed that he is extremely optimistic of the upcoming Proteas endeavour.

South Africa have been extremely tough opponents, especially when they are the hosts. Mortaza drew a comparison with nations like India and Australia, who also have struggled to do well at times in the rainbow nation. However, the Bangladeshi dynamo has urged his players to treat the tour as an opportunity.

“The Proteas think it’s hard to face us in our country. But I would say we have the capability of doing well in their soil too. But if we could play the series against Australia before the South Africa tour, that would help us to be confident,” the 33-year-old skipper said according to bdcrictime.

“Strong sides like India and Australia also can’t do well in South Africa. So I think it’s a big opportunity for us,” he further added.

Mortaza in doubt for the 2019 World Cup

Mortaza’s fitness has been under the scanner for quite some time. His sudden retirement from T20 cricket earlier this year following the tour of Sri Lanka has stirred speculations if his days as an ODI player are numbered too. It’s likely to be the Bangladeshi skipper’s last ODI series on South African soil.

It was also speculated that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was contemplating a new ODI captain as it might be difficult for Mortaza to continue when they head into World Cup, in 2019.

Mashrafe has had seven operations on his knee. However, the Tiger’s skipper he has never looked short of form. He also is the second most successful bowler for Bangladesh since World Cup 2015, grabbing 42 wickets in 30 matches with an impressive economy rate of 4.99.