Bangladesh in South Afirca 2008 October

With a hope to show improvement from their first full trip, the Bangladesh cricket team left the city last night for Johannesburg.

The Tigers will play a Twenty20 international against the Proteas which will be followed by a three-match one-day series and two Test matches during their month-long tour.

The Tigers played their first full series in South Africa in 2002 and had a bitter experience of making a meek surrender in both Test and one-day series under Khaled Mashud, who recently retired.

The overall record also speaks in favour of South Africa but there was only one sweet memory for the Tigers when, in the 2007 World Cup, they beat Graeme Smith's men.

In the last few series the bowlers showed some sort of consistency to create chance against Australia and New Zealand but batting remained the same and the batsmen should play their part if they wan to avoid the same blues.

"It's a big challenge to face South Africa in their own conditions. I think our bowlers did well in the last couple of series but we have to do well as a team and every department to show the improvement in the tour," said pace spearhead and Bangladesh vice-captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza while talking with the reporters at the Zia International Airport.

Shakib Al Hasan, who had a brilliant all-round time against New Zealand in the recently concluded home series, also said that it would be a tough challenge for his side.

"We are going to face a tough time but we have to enjoy the cricket. I am looking forward to enjoy cricket in South Africa," said Shakib.

Nayeem Islam however was not ready to promise anything before the series rather he was looking forward to cement his place in the side.

"I think it's better to talk after the series," said the young all-rounder, who showed his potential against the Kiwis.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful however was confident that his side will show their improvement during the tour.

"No doubt it's a challenging tour for us but we created few opportunities in the last two series and won a one-day match against New Zealand. I am hopeful that we will able to create chances also in South Africa and one success is not unlikely if our top order batsmen clicked," said Ashraful.