Fantasy Preview: West Indies vs Bangladesh, 1st T20I

After losing the Test series, Bangladesh look to redeem themselves in the white-ball tour of the Caribbean, starting with the T20Is against West Indies. The first T20I is at Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica.

The two teams have faced each other on 13 occasions in this format and it is the West Indies who have the slight edge having won seven, while Bangladesh have won five. 

Ground details

Only T20Is have been played at this venue and they were way back in 2014 when West Indies played against New Zealand. Based on those matches, the pacers accounted for 76% of the wickets, striking once every 21.2 runs and 16.2 deliveries apart. The spinners (6.3) were however a little more economical than the fast bowlers (7.9). 

The venue has not hosted any white-ball fixture in the last eight years at any level hence a balance between pacers and spinners should be the way to go. A slight tilt in favour of the fast bowlers could also work.

Suggested team

While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.

Captain and Vice-captain Suggestions

For small leagues: Nicholas Pooran (c), Shakib Al Hasan (vc)

For Grand leagues: Mustafizur Rahman (c), Akeal Hosein (vc)

Stats that matter 

Among bowlers from full-member nations, only Wanindu Hasaranga (10) and Yuzvendra Chahal (11) have picked up more wickets than Akeal Hosein (8) among spinners in T20Is this year, 

Three out of four Nicholas Pooran’s fifties this year have come in back-to-back innings. He scored 61, 62 and 61 against India in Kolkata. However, his highest score of 70 in 2022 came against England in Bridgetown.

Only Josh Hazlewood (19) has picked up more wickets in the powerplay in T20Is among players from Test-playing nations than left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed, who has struck on 16 occasions at an economy rate of six. Off-spinner Mahedi Hasan is just five wickets behind him, while Shakib has six.

Grand League punts

Mohammad Naim (590) had scored the most runs for Bangladesh in T20Is since 2021, but he does not find a spot in the side. Mahmudullah is the second in the list with 527, scoring them at a strike-rate in excess of 107. 

Among pacers from the top 10 T20I teams, only Haris Rauf (20) has picked up more wickets than Mustafizur Rahman (17) at the death. Rahman has done so at an economy rate of 8.1 and has struck once every 10.4 deliveries.

Recently elevated to the vice-captaincy of West Indies’ T20I side, Rovman Powell has struggled against Mustafizur in T20Is. The Bangladesh pacer has dismissed Powell thrice in four innings, conceding just 5.7 runs per innings. Could be an interesting contest to watch out for.

Probable XI

West Indies:

Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Rovman Powell, Shamarh Brooks, Keemo Paul, Akeal Hosein, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh, Obed McCoy, Alzarri Joseph

Bangladesh:

Munim Shahriar, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah (c), Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed