South Africa Twenty 20 (T20) skipper Faf du Plessis feels that the Proteas have succeeded in the sub-continent in the recent years and one of the major reasons being the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Since 2010, South Africa have managed to win three Tests, 16 ODIs and 11 T20 games in the sub-continent. They also managed to draw a Test series against India and another against Pakistan. They also defeated Sri Lanka in a Test series and an ODI series in their own backyard.
"The IPL is probably the biggest reason we have had success in the sub-continent. South African players enjoy playing in the IPL and over the period of eight IPLs, South African players have had reasonably good tournaments there," Faf du Plessis told Espn Cricinfo.
South Africa will be playing two T20s, three ODIs and two Test matches against Bangladesh starting from 5 July. The conditions will be favouring the hosts. The heat will also be a key factor. Keeping in mind that Bangladesh are in red hot form now after trouncing India in the ODI series recently, du Plessis feels that his side will have to play good all-round cricket in order to beat the Bangla Tigers at their own backyard.
"The heat is always the first challenge for a team touring the subcontinent. It was pretty warm when we walked outside the change-room now. It's in that first week or so where you get used to the conditions.
"It's my responsibility as a captain to make sure the guys are looking at conditions here and looking ahead to the World T20. This series is very important for us because our eye is still on the World T20 in India," du Plessis said.
In order to acclimatise with the conditions, South Africa have already arrived in Bangladesh five days ahead of the series. The first T20 game will be played in Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla International Stadium in Dhaka on 5 July.
