Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Bangladesh vs West Indies 3rd ODI Preview + Dream11

For the second time in the last month, West Indies have unexpectedly leveled an ODI series 1-1 in Asia. Bangladesh were on track to win this series as comfortably as the Test series, but now we have a decider that neither of these two sides will want to lose.

You would have been very brave to predict Bangladesh would lose at the midway point of their innings. Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan all hit half centuries, so that the Tigers couldn’t polish off their innings was disappointing. Bangladesh now face the pressure of possibly losing an ODI series at home to a lower ranked side, and need to win the key moments in Sylhet.

The brilliant Shai has kept West Indies‘ Hopes alive. One view on Hope is that he doesn’t realise how good he actually is, and on Tuesday, his magnificent 146* in a chase of 256 was one of the best innings of 2018. His strokeplay was simply sublime, and the Windies will be hoping he fires again, this time with more support from his mates.

Key to a Bangladesh win

Bangladesh’s death batting has been an achilles heel over the last few years, and it came to the fore once again in Dhaka. The Tigers were on target for 280+, but crucially scored 30 less, as a result of just 64 runs in the final 10 overs.

Bangladesh’s “fab four” of Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah (the latter needing to show more fluency) will be key again in setting up the innings. But, can Bangladesh finish off the job effectively and win the pressure situations?

With the ball, Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer will again be the key wickets. Hope showed why in Dhaka, knocking off an incredible century that had Bangladesh wondering what happened, but dropped catches in the outfield and lack of execution with the ball has to be addressed in the decider. Can Bangladesh scythe through the Windies line up as they did in the first ODI?

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Key to a West Indies win

Shai Hope will again be key to the cause, but who else will stand up? Darren Bravo has struggled for fluency, so too Marlon Samuels and Shimron Hetmyer. In a game where Bangladesh will be focusing plenty on Hope, it is now the time for the other Windies batsmen to deliver. After all, the next best score after Shai Hope’s 146* was just 27.

With the ball, there has been lots to be encouraged about for the Windies. Oshane Thomas and Kemar Roach have bowled well, with the former having the wood over members of the Bangladesh line up, especially Imrul Kayes. Bangladesh’s line up contains plenty of experience, but the key for the Windies will be to reduce the boundaries as much as possible, paving the way for a breakdown in Bangladeshi momentum as per the second ODI. No balls is an issue the Windies have to resolve, after conceding a ridiculous number of free hits in Dhaka. They got away with it in the end, but wouldn’t want to try their luck in Sylhet.

Predicted Playing XIs

Imrul Kayes has zero runs in this series, unable to deal with Oshane Thomas, after his 300+ run effort vs Zimbabwe. His spot could be under threat, which is likely to be the only possible change in Bangladesh’s lineup.

Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das, 3. Soumya Sarkar, 4. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Shakib Al Hasan, 6. Mahmudullah, 7. Mohammad Mithun/Imrul Kayes, 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Mashrafe Mortaza, 10. Rubel Hossain, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Expect West Indies to stick with the same side.

West Indies: 1. Chandrapaul Hemraj, 2. Shai Hope (wk), 3. Darren Bravo, 4. Shimron Hetmyer, 5. Marlon Samuels, 6. Roston Chase, 7. Rovman Powell (c), 8. Keemo Paul, 9. Devendra Bishoo, 10. Oshane Thomas, 11. Kemar Roach

Dream11

Which batsmen will step up? Below is my Dream11 side with a few pointers.

• Mushfiqur Rahim vs Shai Hope is a tough choice, as the case in the 2nd ODI too. Either option is a good one, but I’ve gone with Rahim to perform in a clutch game at home.
• Shimron Hetmyer is good enough to persist with.
• Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das have both shown promising signs in recent times.
• Shakib Al Hasan is a good choice for captain with his batting and bowling prowess.
• Oshane Thomas had impressed, so too Keemo Paul. Mashrafe Mortaza seemed to be fine despite a hamstring niggle in the second ODI.

Stats and Facts

• West Indies also leveled the series in a close finish vs Bangladesh at home earlier this year.
• West Indies have not won an ODI series since August 2014.
• All three specialist Bangladesh seamers have 20+ ODI wickets in 2018.
• Shimron Hetmyer has three ODI centuries in 2018 – the joint fourth most.

Prediction

Shai Hope has made this series interesting!

Despite his excellent form, I will go with Bangladesh to take out the series at home as they have a greater number of players that are likelier to step up.

Thanks for reading!

Bangladesh vs West Indies 3rd ODI Preview + Dream11

P.S. I recently partnered with the awesome team at OnlineCricStore.com. 

Hope you enjoy my cricket tips on the OnlineCricStore Blog!