Shakib, De Villiers return for one-day series

TIL Desk Sports/ The return of leading all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan provides encouragement for Bangladesh ahead of a three-match one-day international series against South Africa starting at the Diamond Oval tomorrow.

But Bangladesh, outplayed in two Tests against the hosts, will have to contend with a South African team strengthened by the inclusion of AB de Villiers, one of the world’s most dazzling limited-overs batsmen.

Also back in international action for South Africa is JP Duminy, who retired from Test cricket after a run of low scores, but who remains a highly effective one-day player.

In the most recent one-day outings for both teams, Bangladesh reached the semi-finals of the ICC Champions League in England in June, while South Africa failed to advance beyond the group stage.

Bangladesh were victorious in their two most recent one- day internationals against South Africa when they won a series at home in 2015. But the hosts will start strong favourites.