Almost the entire ground was under covers yesterday. The outfield was water-logged. The Tigers were confined to indoor practice at Mirpur while their opponents, South Africa, did not even move to the ground, preferring to stay in their hotel as it rained heavily throughout the day. A day before the start of the three-match ODI series, the atmosphere was far from ideal to talk about cricket.

Cricket seemed to take a backseat yesterday until Proteas captain Hashim Amla and Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza appeared for the pre-match press conference at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Then the question all around was: What's the weather forecast for Friday? The match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm. The forecast reads well though as daytime thunderstorms are expected to be followed by clear evening skies.

Cricket in June-July in this country had been an unthinkable issue, so it surprised many when rain hardly played foul in the limited-overs games in the series against India and, so far, South Africa, after rain had spoiled the one-off Test against India at Fatullah.

The two captains were also not ready to focus on the weather; rather they were looking forward to an exciting series.

"We cannot do anything about the weather as it's not in our hands. Both teams have to accept that. But this series is very important for us and we are looking forward to playing good cricket and finishing with joy," said Mashrafe.

The Tigers stand before a big challenge to further enhance their reputation as a good and competitive ODI unit, after two stupendous successes against Pakistan and India. Bangladesh have given the impression that they have made the Mirpur ground their own fortress, but the visitors have also proven that they are a hard nut to crack. So, a success against this kind of a team will take the Tigers to another height.

History is on the visitors' side though, as their only loss against the Tigers in 14 encounters came in the 2007 World Cup. But by beating India and Pakistan, the Tigers showed the world that they have got the ability to beat any team in the world if they can play to their potential.

Unlike the previous series where Bangladesh went with a four-pronged pace attack, the Tigers have so far relied on their slower bowlers against the Proteas and that might see pacer Rubel Hossain make way for leg-spinner Jubair Hossain. Interestingly, the team was pondering whether to leave out left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny -- who bowled well in the T20I series which the visitors won 2-0 -- to accommodate fit-again all-rounder Mahmudullah Riyad. Riyad is likely to play the match and if Sunny ultimately fails to make the cut. Litton Das then may get a chance.

Both teams will face another challenge, which will be to adjust to the new ODI rules -- no compulsory catchers in overs 1-10, no batting Powerplay between overs 15-40, five fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in overs 41-50 and free-hits for all no-balls.

Bangladesh will also desperately be looking forward to remaining within the top eight teams by the end of the series. The sudden announcement of West Indies joining Pakistan and Zimbabwe in a tri-series next month means Bangladesh will have to win at least one match to book their ticket to the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.