The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh faces strong South Africa in the 1st test of the two-match Warid Test Series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium at Mirpur on Friday, hoping to play competitive cricket.

During the month-long engagement, Bangladesh will play the 2nd test against the visiting Proteas on Feb 29-March 4 at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium (BSSRAS) in Chttagong.

After the two tests, a three-match ODI series between the two sides will begin on Match 12 at BSSRAS in Chittagong. The 2nd and 3rd ODIs will be held on March 12 and 14 at the SBNS in Dhaka.

Bangladesh goes into the 1st test following a dismal record of heavily losing all the last four test matches against South Africa since 2002.

But, this time, Bangladesh with home ground advantage have a good opportunity to play positive cricket. South Africa captain Graeme Smith also thinks that the hosts would get extra home ground advantage playing in their own conditions.

Ahead of the Friday's test, Bangladesh gave a hint of playing fighting cricket against the visitors as they played some good cricket with South Africa in the only three-day warm-up match that ended in draw at Narayanganj Osmani (Fatullah) Stadium on Wednesday.

Bangladesh have a memorable record of winning one out of their eight ODI encounters against South Africa. In the last World Cup, Bangladesh inflicted a 67-run defeat on South Africa in a super-eight match held in Guyana.

But South Africa captain Graeme Smith brushed aside talks of revenge, saying that his team is more interested in focussing on their coming fixtures.

He said they would play good and competitive cricket in both test and ODI series against Bangladesh.

It is obvious that the visitors' prime target here is to win both test and ODI series against Bangladesh. They come here after winning all the last three series - against Pakistan (test 3-1 & ODI 3-2), New Zealand (test 2-0 & ODI 3-1) and West Indies (test 2-1 & ODI 5-0).

South Africa underwent some hard practice on Wednesday morning at the match venue while Bangladesh will make practice today (Thursday) morning.

Bangladesh-South Africa Warid Cricket Series:

Feb 22-26 - 1st test - Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS);

Feb 29-March 4 - 2nd test Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Stadium (BSSRAS) in Chttagong.

March 9 : 1st ODI at BSSRAS, Chittagong

March 12: 2nd ODI at SBNS, Mirpur, Dhaka

March 14: 3rd ODI at SBNS, Mirpur, Dhaka