The Tigers are no more minnows in the Test arena, as they have winning records against all the top Test nations in both ODI and Test matches, so they will take on South Africa as a full-grown Test nation in their second match tomorrow in Port Elizabeth.
May be the 220 runs defeat in Durban Test is a bit disappointing and getting all out for 53 runs is something disgrace but all the Test nations including the powerhouses have such bitter experiences getting out on a paltry total.
The hosts of the Tigers in the ongoing series, South Africa have also the record of getting out for the second lowest total in an innings in the Test history when they were all out for 30 runs for twice against England, even they have the record of highest six times to get out under 60 runs in an innings.
So forgetting the past, if Bangladesh could fight with courage and keep their cool, specially, the batters could demonstrate their natural performances, game is not yet over for the Tigers to bounce back to win or even to force the hosts to make a draw.
When we have a look to the best performers of both hosts and visitors players played at least eight matches, before to face each other in Port Elizabeth, in their head to head record of batting and bowling average are very closer to each other.
Both the captain of Bangladesh Mominul Haque and South African captain Dean Elgar played 10 matches against each other. Mominul scored 643 at batting average of 45.21 when his South African counterpart Dean Elgar scored 627 an average of 45.20, Liton Das played 10 matches scored 833 with an average of 57.84, Temba Bavuma played eight matches when he scored 580 runs in an average of 45.70.
Among the bowlers, who played at least four matches against each other’s country, are also very closer in respect of wicket taking and in economy bowling.
Mehidy Hassan Miraz played 10 matches and claimed 35 wickets with 2.74 economy bowling and Taijul Islam played six matches and took 30 wickets in an economy bowling 2.65.
Counterparts of Mehidy and Taijul, South African bowlers Keshav Maharaj played six matches and had 30 wickets with economy bowling 2.65 and Duanne Olivier played four matches, took nine wickets in an economy bowling with 3.56.
In all respects the Tigers are not far behind to the Protease and they (Tigers) have every ability to throw challenges to the South Africa at St George's Park Cricket Ground, Port Elizabeth, one of the oldest Test cricket venue in the world where SA were bowled out for 30 against the visitors England in 1896.