With the aim to turn fortunes around in South Africa, where Bangladesh are yet to register a win across all formats, majority of the Tigers departed for their African safari yesterday.

Players of the one-day squad left the country in two separate groups yesterday while the third group, comprising the Test squad's exclusive members, were scheduled to depart in the morning flight today.

The Tamim Iqbal–led ODI squad is set to start training on Monday following a day's rest. The visitors won't get enough time to adjust with the conditions as the first of the three-match ODI series is scheduled on March 18 in Centurion.

Member of the national selection panel and former captain Habibul Bashar, who had accompanied the team before departure, mentioned that despite the insufficient time for adjustment to conditions, he remains hopeful over the preparation ahead of the series.

"Considering the time and situation, I think there was no scope for better preparation for us. Obviously, it would've been good if we could travel there early as the conditions in South Africa are different," Bashar told the media at the Hazrat Shahjalal Airport yesterday.

"If we could've stayed for a prolonged time and played a couple of practice matches, it may have benefitted us. But there is nothing to do and whatever time we get, we will try to prepare accordingly."

With 100 points, the Tigers sit pretty at the top of the ICC ODI Super League table and skipper Tamim had expressed that he'd even seek inspiration from the historic Mount Maunganui Test win against New Zealand earlier this year, in order to prosper in the series ahead.

Bangladesh played six Tests, nine ODIs and four T20Is so far in South Africa and lost all games. However, Bashar believes that if the Tigers can continue their good form, there is a chance to rewrite the history this time around.

"The South African team is pretty good and the conditions are also challenging for us. But if you look at our ODI form, we can certainly be hopeful.

"We know that it will be difficult as they will play with their full-strength side. Also, they've organised the matches at their main venues which means South Africa are taking Bangladesh seriously," he said.

Asked if the team would miss Shakib Al Hasan in the tough Proteas tour, the 49-year-old reminded that Bangladesh in the past have played well despite the absence of the star all-rounder.

"Obviously, we are going to miss Shakib as he is a very important player for us and he brings a lot of balance in the team. But you won't get your best player all the time and whoever is playing in place of him is also our best player.

"We have to try with what we got and we've played well without our best player in the past," said Bashar.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Test squad led by Mominul Haque will take the direct flight to Cape Town and proceed to undergo a training camp at the Gary Kirsten Academy.

According to sources, Kirsten is also expected to oversee the training camp along with the Tigers' former fielding coach Ryan Cook. Former South African cricketer Justin Kemp will also assist the Test squad's training.

The first of the two-match Test series is scheduled to begin on March 30 in Durban while the second Test will be underway on April 7 in Port Elizabeth.