Bangladesh dream of historic triumph

How much would it mean to Bangladesh to win the third ODI against South Africa in Centurion on Wednesday? That's difficult to say, because it's impossible to overstate the impact victory would have for the game in their country.

Bangladesh have played 71 bilateral series across the formats away or in neutral countries. They've won only 10, and just four of those successes - all against West Indies - can be considered to have been achieved against serious opposition.

The only other teams Bangladesh beaten outside of their own backyard have been Zimbabwe, Kenya and Ireland. So getting over the line on Wednesday could be considered the apex of their history in the game at international level, which started almost 36 years ago.

What are their chances? Minimal, we might have thought before the first match of the rubber in Centurion on Friday - when they twice broke the record for their highest partnership in South Africa, put up 314/7, the only time they have made 250 or more in the country, and won by 38 runs.

The home side levelled matters on a difficult pitch at the Wanderers on Sunday, when they won by seven wickets. So the fact that the series will return to the scene of Bangladesh's win for the decider can only be good news for the visitors.

That will be tempered by the fact that Quinton de Kock missed Friday's game because he was recovering from illness but played on Sunday and promptly blitzed 62 off 41 balls. But, just as importantly, Bangladesh have retained the services of ace allrounder Shakib al Hasan - who has remained with the squad despite several members of his family having been