Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Let’s go back to July 26, 2009. Bangladesh had never beaten West Indies in an ODI. They had a great chance against a side decimated by a player strike. The Tigers won the series 3-0, which was then followed by Windies success in 2011, before Bangladesh won a landmark series 3-2 in 2012.
Fast forward six years later, and it is incredible to think of the gulf between the two sides.
Bangladesh were dominant in the first ODI on Sunday in Mirpur, setting the game up with a clinical bowling performance. Inspirational skipper Mashrafe Mortaza led his side brilliantly in his 200th ODI, and was backed up by his bowling attack and batsmen in knocking the Windies off with ease. A second series win over the Windies in a single year awaits as they look to seal the series at the same venue.
Where do West Indies go from here? The batsmen simply had no answer in challenging conditions, crawling their way to a total of 195. The sheer volume of shots suggested the Windies should have got 275+, but the quality of the strokeplay was poor. This side will take the field in a World Cup in just six months time, and at the moment, it is hard to see how they will be competitive. Can they turn things around and keep this series alive?
Key to a Bangladesh win
The Bangladesh bowlers have had the wood over the Windies in both formats so far on this tour. Wickets were shared between pace and spin in the first ODI, which is a confidence booster for the Tigers. Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman and Rubel Hossain (in the early stages of his spell) were excellent in pushing the Windies back. Can the home side continue to cause headaches from all angles against a side also yet to decode spin?
There are players also in good form on the batting front. 195 could have been a tricky total on a tough wicket on Sunday, but Bangladesh, led by Mushfiqur Rahim, mastered the chase nicely. The second ODI presents an opportunity for Bangladesh’s batsmen to take advantage when getting set, which is something they need to get right ahead of the World Cup. Can Tamim Iqbal get back in the runs, along with the remaining experienced and capable top seven members?
READ: I also write for the OnlineCricStore blog: 5 key fast bowling tips!
Key to a West Indies win
West Indies played out a ridiculous 173 dot balls in the first ODI. Yes, the pitch was challenging, but the Windies threw strategy out the window, failing to realise that 230 could have been a winning score. Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer will again be key to the cause, but desperately need more from the experienced players such as Kieran Powell and Marlon Samuels, who continue to struggle. Can the Windies hold their own with the bat?
Also, the Windies were overrun after showing some promise with the ball
on Sunday. The tourists displayed some good moments, just as they did in India, but they haven’t been able to sustain it long enough. Oshane Thomas looked sharp and dangerous, and the Windies will be banking on him to make inroads into the Bangladesh top order. Can the likes of Kemar Roach, Keemo Paul, Roston Chase and Devendra Bishoo create and maintain pressure on Bangladesh?
Predicted XIs
Rubel Hossain was expensive for Bangladesh on Sunday, but should get another game. The Tigers were so dominant that they will likely stick with the same team. However, Mashrafe is said to be nursing a hamstring niggle.
Bangladesh possible XI: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das, 3. Imrul Kayes, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Shakib Al Hasan, 6. Soumya Sarkar, 7. Mahmudullah, 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Mashrafe Mortaza (c), 10. Rubel Hossain, 11. Mustafizur Rahman
One wonders why West Indies continue to persist with Kieran Powell and Marlon Samuels. The tourists have decisions to make with the series on the line, but could stick on the side of caution. Personal opinion says they should pick Carlos Brathwaite.
West Indies possible XI: 1. Kieran Powell/Chandrapaul Hemraj, 2. Shai Hope (wk), 3. Darren Bravo, 4. Marlon Samuels, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Roston Chase, 7. Rovman Powell (c), 8. Keemo Paul/Carlos Brathwaite, 9. Devendra Bishoo, 10. Kemar Roach, 11. Oshane Thomas
READ: CricBlog’s Funny Australia vs India 1st Test Player Ratings
Dream11
Bangladesh to dominate again? Below is my Dream11Team with a few pointers.
- Mushfiqur Rahim makes my XI again.
- Shimron Hetmyer remains West Indies’ best batsman. I will also persist with Darren Bravo and Tamim Iqbal.
- Mahmudullah can be considered a risky option, but the batting options including Imrul Kayes, Liton Das and Kieran Powell don’t inspire great confidence.
- Oshane Thomas is a wicket taking threat.
- Rubel Hossain makes my side over Mashrafe Mortaza, who has a hamstring niggle. Whether Mortaza plays remains to be seen.
Stats and Facts
- Bangladesh’s famous five of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Mashrafe Mortaza will play their 100th ODI as a quintet.
- Bangladesh dropped three catches on Sunday.
- Mushfiqur Rahim has scored 687 runs against West Indies, going past Chris Gayle as the highest run-scorer in Bangladesh-Windies ODIs.
- West Indies have not won an ODI series since August 2014.
Prediction
Bangladesh looked a class above in these conditions on Sunday, and I expect the same to occur in the second ODI.
Bangladesh to take out the series in the second match.
P.S. Do take the time to check out my cricket tips on the OnlineCricStore.com Blog or my Australia vs India 1st Test Player Ratings.
Thanks for reading!