SERIES PREVIEW
Follow UsAfter a hammering in the Test series at the hands of West Indies, Bangladesh look to resurrect their tour with a solid performance in the T20 International (T20I) series, starting with the first game in Dominica. While there has not been much change in Bangladesh’s fortunes since the T20 World Cup, West Indies will be lifted by the fact that they did beat England in a five-match series at home not too long ago.
This will be the first time Nicholas Pooran will take charge of the T20I side since Kieron Pollard’s retirement. Since taking over as captain, Pooran’s men thrashed Netherlands 3-0 in an ODI series but suffered the same fate at the hands of Pakistan.
Considered to be heavyweights at one point, West Indies are not as formidable as they once were. They have won just three out of the 11 matches since the T20 World Cup 2021 and as the mega event edges closer once again, they will hope to string together a few wins together and find their feet under the new captain.
At what point does a Bangladesh victory not feel like an upset? They did beat Australia and New Zealand at home ahead of the World Cup, but that counted for absolutely nothing as they were annihilated in all the Super 12 matches after losing to Scotland in the previous round.
You can get away with slow, drab wickets at home, but that barely prepares you while playing in UAE or Australia – a simple yet important learning they would have certainly taken out of those series wins.
While the results may not have gone their way most of the time, West Indies have the highest run-rate (8.5) after India (9.3) since the T20 World Cup last year, compared to Bangladesh, who have scored at just 6.3 runs an over, the lowest among Test-playing nations.
However, things are the exact opposite when it comes to their bowling with Bangladesh being the most economical (6.3) while West Indies have been the most expensive (9) during this time frame. Both teams would look to work on those departments this series.
One of the reasons for Bangladesh’s poor show with the bat is that they have tried as many as eight opening combinations since 2021. Nainm has featured heavily in those, but with him out at least for this series, Bangladesh will look to find that opening combination that may feature in the upcoming World Cup. Litton is one option, but the question is who will open with him?
Jason Holder a big miss
Holder’s reputation as one of the finest all-rounders in T20 cricket only grew in the series against England, where he picked up 15 wickets at 9.60 including a hat-trick. He is the leading wicket-taker this year among the top 10 nations having struck 16 times at 13.6 and will once again be key from West Indies’ perspective.
His cameos down the order as he has done on many occasions for West Indies and also his T20 franchises. With Pollard no longer available, it would certainly behoove West Indies if Holder fills his shoes to a certain extent in the long run. He has been rested for the white-ball leg, allowing someone else to stake claim.
Pooran’s form a worry?
The West Indies captain has scores of 7, 10, 7, 21, 25 and 11 in his last six international innings, However, when it comes to T20Is, he has been in stunning form having scored three back-to-back fifties – all coming in the series against India at Eden Gardens.
He has now finished as the leading run-getter in the series against England and more recently against India. As far as T20Is are concerned, Pooran is one of the best middle-order batters in the world. Among batters from the Test-playing nations, only Ishan Kishan (411) has scored more runs than Pooran (348) this year.
Lot of chopping and changing for Bangladesh
While Tamim Iqbal’s exodus from T20Is continues, with the idea of giving other youngsters a chance, Mohammad Naim, who was looked as a long-term option has not been picked for the series after a poor run of form. Mushfiqur Rahim remains on leave, while Shakib Al Hasan, who recently took over as the Test captain has played just a couple of matches since the T20 World Cup.
Safe to say, Bangladesh do not have their full-strength squad, but that opens up avenues for others. Fringe players like Shamim Hossain and Yasir Ali too have been given a go but the return of some familiar faces has meant they miss out.
As far as their bowlers are concerned, they seem to be quite formidable, with Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed up front with spinners like Shakib, Nasum Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan taking over.
As far as spin bowling is concerned, Bangladesh are spoilt for options, but among fast bowlers, they have just Shoriful Islam in their ranks other than Mustafizur and Taskin.
It’s clear that Bangladesh are going to stick to their strength, which is spin bowling and that’s the way that will look to go in the series and could very well be the strategy in the World Cup as well.
Probable XI:
Bangladesh
With Mohammad Saifuddin and Yasir Ali out, replacements have not been named, but according to ESPNcricinfo two of Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Ebadot Hossain will be part of the T20Is given that they are part of the ODI squad too.
Munim Shahriar, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah ©, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed.
West Indies
The hosts will slot Brandon King at the top to open with Kyle Mayers after Shai Hope was axed from the T20I squad. Even Shamarh Brooks at the top could be a decent option.
Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Rovman Powell, Shamarh Brooks, Keemo Paul, Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh, Obed McCoy, Alzarri Joseph.
