'Better stay at home if you are scared'

For the third time this year, Bangladesh will feature in a series against a side that has an overwhelming record against them. And for the third time this year, the hosts will be looking to defy numbers and statistics, as they take on South Africa in the first T20I at Mirpur today.

Seven innings victories out of eight Tests, two 400-plus stands -- one of which is a world record, the failure to bowl the Proteas out at home in an ODI and so on. There are several statistics, which point towards South Africa's sheer dominance against Bangladesh.

But skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza wasn't worried about all that. His demeanour in yesterday's pre-match press conference in Mirpur exuded confidence.

"They haven't seen us play, but we see them all the time. I don't think they have time to see us either," chuckled Mashrafe.

"The only option that we have is to play confidently. There is no other option. If we feel scared then it's better to remain at home. Yes, you can be a little scared but that should help you perform. I think we should keep fear outside the field and just concentrate on our own performance. That's it.

"Yes record-wise we are in a bad situation. But that is a thing of the past. Now we are playing well as a team. I am not saying that we will definitely achieve a lot, but we have done well. We beat Pakistan in our last T20I," added the confident skipper.

Unlike Bangladesh, South Africa have sent a side that seems to be specialised in T20s. A bunch of them are already regulars in T20 competitions around the world, whereas others have fared well in T20 competitions back home.

South Africa's uncapped leg-spinner Eddie Leie for instance topped the wickets column in a domestic T20 tournament recently and looked good in the practice match at Fatullah on Friday.

While being aware of that fact, Mashrafe was confident that his side would be able to overcome the threat.

"They can restrict us in all three departments. They are ahead of us. We have one T20 player going around the world and they have players who are yet to make their international debuts and have already made marks in T20 leagues.

"However, these are just statistics. I believe that if we can hold on to our game, we can achieve positive results. T20 cricket is all about guts, freedom and good thinking and we have all that," said a confident Mashrafe.

"We have to start well. There is a bit of confidence from the previous series, yes, but the result of this series will depend on how we start it," he added.