History beckons Tigers yet again

Heading into 2022, expectations were that Bangladesh would try to find ways to rejuvenate their spirits after a dismal 2021. But three months into the year, Bangladesh have hit heights that few could have imagined.

The latest strides were made when the Tigers beat South Africa by 38 runs in the first ODI on Friday, a maiden triumph away to the Proteas in any format.

And now, with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, Bangladesh could make further history with a win in the second ODI in Johannesburg today, which would seal a maiden series win against South Africa in their backyard.

That Bangladesh would go into a game with such a landmark in sight would have been a preposterous notion at the start of the year.

But that notion began to change in January when the Mominul Haque-led Test side thrashed New Zealand -- the top-ranked Test side in the world -- in their own backyard to break the visitors' 33-game jinx across formats.

When a resilient Bangladesh reached the ICC ODI Super League summit with a 2-1 series victory against Afghanistan at home in February, belief engulfed the entire Tigers' camp. However, it still required a concerted team effort to break the South Africa barrier.

After skipper Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das lay the foundation with a steady 95-run opening stand, the highest partnership for the wicket by Bangladesh in an ODI away to South Africa to that point, Shakib Al Hasan and Yasir Ali came through with a rapid 115-run stand.

Shakib shrugged off the mental and physical issues that almost saw him skip the series in the emphatic manner that only he knows while Yasir played second fiddle to perfection and notched his maiden ODI fifty to help Bangladesh post their highest total away to South Africa.

The most encouraging aspect was that it was one of the rare occasions when Bangladesh exploited the pace-conducive conditions, expected to favour the hosts, to turn the tables.

The Tigers' pacers carried the same vigour and zest in their bowling as well and, despite being faced with challenging situations, the spirited Tigers twice fought back into the game and finished off the day in the manner that they had started it.

Given how the Tigers transformed their approach, it is safe to say that Bangladesh, despite being away from home, will have the mental edge when they take on South Africa in today's game.