Mirpur (Bangladesh), July 4: Bangladesh cricket skipper Mashrafe Mortaza, after the series against India, had said that South Africa would be a tougher opposition.

Now, Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha has not only echoed Mortaza's belief, but seems to also keep the Proteas ahead, saying they are favourites in the upcoming series (starting July 5 with T20I), reports bdnews24.com. South Africa will play 2 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 2 Tests.

The hosts do not have a good record against South Africa. They have faced the Proteas 24 times with only one victory to show off, in the super-eight of the 2007 World Cup. The visitors are also ahead of Bangladesh in terms of skills and depth.

Hathurusingha said South Africa have been a very competent side in every format of the game for a long time.

"In my judgement, they are the favourites," he said.

He hoped that Bangladesh, as a confident One-Day International (ODI) team, would be able to stop the South Africans.

IANS