Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
 |
| Image credit: Getty Images |
This Test series isn’t the most high profile on the cricketing calendar, given the respective rankings of the two sides, but boy is it unpredictable.
Bangladesh take on West Indies at home after being humiliated in the series earlier this year in the Caribbean, and will be hoping to use home conditions, as well as the absence of Jason Holder, to their advantage.
Is it as simple as saying that the winner of the toss goes a long way to winning this Test?
The return of Shakib Al Hasan is a huge boost for Bangladesh. Personally, heart wondered whether Shakib would ever play another Test again given the nature of his injury, as well as BCB President Nazmul Hassan’s extraordinary claim in July that Bangladesh’s senior players aren’t too keen on Tests. His return will boost both their batting and bowling line up, even if he is a little rusty, such is his quality. Will the Bangladeshis gain revenge over the Windies for their July drubbing?
On the flip side, the loss of Jason Holder is a huge loss for West Indies. The men from the Caribbean face a big test in improving their record in Asia, coming up against a Bangladesh side possessing tidy spinners. Kraigg Brathwaite, in his third Test as captain, will be tasked in leading from the front with the bat, with a focus on maintaining his superb record against Bangladesh. With no Holder in the side, the players in the side must hold extra accountability for their performances.
Key to a Bangladesh win
Bangladesh broke an eight-game winless run in Tests by beating Zimbabwe in Dhaka last week. However, their top order leaves plenty to be desired, crumbling to 26/3 and 25/4 across both innings in last week’s win, following a run of eight straight innings where Bangladesh failed to reach 200.
Changes were made to Bangladesh’s squad, but that doesn’t necessarily mean instant success. Bangladesh’s top six, including Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar, must display the patience and temperament necessary to tame a Windies attack hoping for Bangladeshi mistakes. Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque and Mahmudullah were all excellent in the last Test, and will need to be again to deliver victory for the hosts.
On the bowling front, there is little doubt that Bangladesh are putting together a good attack for home conditions. Taijul Islam is coming off 18 wickets in two Tests against Zimbabwe, and Mehidy Hasan is beginning to prove his worth as a Test quality allrounder. With Shakib back, Bangladesh will be keen to put the squeeze on a Windies line up that struggled badly in India. Also, it was encouraging to see Mustafizur Rahman and Khaled Ahmed get overs under their belt against Zimbabwe, and will also look to keep the Windies batsmen honest.
Key to a West Indies win
Roston Chase was the Windies’ shining light with the bat in India, and needs to be at it again in Bangladesh. However, more is required from Kraigg Brathwaite, who will skipper the side, as well as Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope, who need to prove they aren’t just white-ball specialists. With the Windies’ missing the security of Jason Holder down the order, the top six must hold its own against a Bangladesh attack that will look to accurate and effective in home conditions.
Also, there will be no Jason Holder to turn to with the ball. Kemar Roach (if picked) and Shannon Gabriel, who have both been in good touch, will be key against Bangladesh’s shaky top order, to pave the way for Devendra Bishoo and Jomel Worrican to keep the pressure on. Bishoo in particular has had a tough 2018, taking just eight wickets in six Tests at 60. Will the Windies attack thrive as a unit?
Possible teams
Liton Das, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Abu Jayed, Shafiul Islam and Nazmul Islam were all dropped from the squad for the Zimbabwe series. Soumya Sarkar is set to open, alongside Imrul Kayes, and Shakib Al Hasan returns to skipper the side.
Bangladesh: 1. Imrul Kayes, 2. Soumya Sarkar, 3. Mominul Haque, 4. Mahmudullah, 5. Shakib Al Hasan (c), 6. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7. Mohammad Mithun, 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Taijul Islam, 10. Khaled Ahmed, 11. Mustafizur Rahman
For West Indies, there is no Jason Holder, which means more is needed from both their batting and bowling stocks.
West Indies: 1. Kraigg Brathwaite (c), 2. Kieran Powell, 3. Shai Hope, 4. Shimron Hetmyer, 5. Roston Chase, 6. Sunil Ambris, 7. Shane Dowrich (wk), 8. Devendra Bishoo, 9. Kemar Roach, 10. Jomel Worrican, 11. Shannon Gabriel
Dream11
Spent quite a bit of time putting this side together. Hoping it gets the points! Below is my team with a few pointers.
- Mushfiqur Rahim is my wicket keeper choice, and captain.
- Kraigg Brathwaite averages nearly 65 against Bangladesh. Shimron Hetmyer has all the talent in the world, and I back him to show the temperament needed in Tests.
- I was impressed with Mohammad Mithun against Zimbabwe, and Mominul remains vital for Bangladesh.
- Picking Shakib Al Hasan was not straight forward given he could be rusty, but he is class. Roston Chase is a must, so too Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
- Khaled Ahmed was unlucky not to get wickets against Zimbabwe. He makes my side here, alongside Devendra Bishoo and Taijul Islam.
Stats and Facts
- Bangladesh’s batting effort in West Indies in July was the worst by any batting side in 63 years.
- The only Test series Bangladesh have ever won against a team other than Zimbabwe was a weakened West Indies team in 2009.
- Shakib Al Hasan needs four wickets to become the first Bangladesh bowler to take 200 Test wickets.
- Kieran Powell is 13 runs away from 2,000 in Tests.
Prediction
This could very well depend on the toss. Anything can happen!
With Jason Holder missing, and Shakib back, I am leaning towards Bangladesh.
Thanks for reading!
