'It may be different for SA'

The ploy of using four pacers against India worked well for Bangladesh. While the Indian team management claimed not to be surprised by the hosts' strategy, their batsmen found it difficult to manoeuvre their way against the likes of Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman.

While the strategy did work against India, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan however, reckoned that the Tigers might use a completely different strategy against South Africa next month.

In an interview with Wisden India, published on June 26, Shakib said, "We attacked against India with four seamers, but against South Africa, I think it might be the opposite. You never know, we might end up playing with four seamers as well, but we may change our plans."

"I still believe South Africa are the favourites because they have a better bowling attack. It will be an even contest, but we need to adjust our plans," he added.

Shakib of course, wasn't the only player who hinted at the possibility of enforcing a different strategy against the South Africans. At the end of the series, skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was asked as to why Jubair Hossain was included into the side as a late replacement for Taskin Ahmed and not included in the starting eleven of the third ODI.

To that Mashrafe replied, saying the leg-spinner was brought in to help him get used to the atmosphere of the national team since he might get a chance to play against South Africa.

Whether the hosts are going to depend on their spinners a bit more as compared to the India series is a question that will only be answered once the entire team gets together. As of now, the players and the members of the team management are enjoying their break and will only be back on June 29 -- the first day of the camp.

In the past though, the visitors have depended more upon their spinners against South Africa. Bangladesh have never managed to bowl South Africa out at home. In the six matches that they played against them, 15 wickets were taken by spinners, whereas the pacers managed to take only six.

Regardless of the strategies, Shakib said that the team was looking forward to facing South Africa.

"The way we are playing, especially in ODIs at home, we can beat any side on our day. And I think we showed the world and ourselves how much of an improved side we are now in ODIs."