It goes without saying that Bangladesh is much better team than the present West Indies in ODI.
It matters little that the three matches ODI series is now locked 1-1 with the series deciding third match due today at St Kitts. Bangladesh won the first match quite comfortably and was on its way of winning the second till the last over drama which turned the table. West Indies squeezed out a 3 runs win. Holder and West Indies defended 7 runs.
Yet again Mushfiqur and Bangladesh proved that they are chokers. There is no reason why Bangladesh can not win the series deciding third match and win the series. West Indies now ranked below Bangladesh ICC ranking, any match lost they loose 3 ranking points and any win adds only 1.
Players to player comparison other than CH Gayle, D Bishho and Jeson Holder all West Indians are pretty raw to very experienced Bangladesh key players. There is no reason why such a team can not absorb pressure and does not repeat the mistakes they did in the first and the second match.
Tamim, Shakib and Mushfqiue are back in their brilliant best with the bat. But they must rotate strike a bit more. Sabbir is struggling. Anamul is finding his feet.
Possibly would learn a lesson from the ugly manner he threw away his wicket after a blinder of an innings. Mosaddek should have won the second match playing cool calculative cricket.
Mashrafe was excellent with bowling in both matches. I think Miraj and Shakib were effective. Rubel bowled a rank bad last over in the second match. Mustafiz is getting back to his tune. There may be temptation in the team management playing Shanto or Liton in place of Sabbir. But that may be a gamble not worth taking. Bangladesh can win the match playing the same combination. May be Sabbir can be risked at number three if the first wicket partnership does not prolong. Death over batting and bowling are issues for Bangladesh.
In first match, Mushfique blasted. In the second match he melted and Mosaddek could not take the team across in the last over. May be Mahmudullah may be saved to do the duty of the finisher.
We must realize that the wicket Providence suited Bangladesh more than the home team. The wicket gripped and turned. Bangladeshi spin attack is much more experienced in such condition. Yet Bangladesh batsmen struggled against young less experienced WI spinners St Kitts wicket may play differently.
Gayle hail or a Lewis blitz can not be ruled out. Toss may be an important factor. Bangladesh should bat if it wins the toss as it has been proved Bangladesh crumbles under pressure and chokes. Any score of 270-280 Bangladesh should defend. Though Hetmeyer scored a century West Indies has only Gayle and Lewis and to some extent Holder to bother about.
If Gayle and Lewis wickets can be taken early, young West Indians will struggle in chasing. After few huge Rubel overs in the death overs in few matches he must not be used in the death. Mashrafee should save an over or two himself and let Mustafiz bowl from the other end.
We must keep in mind that winning against West Indies will not improve ranking that much but losing a match Bangladesh loose three points. Bangladesh must deliver to its potential
BDST: 0916 HRS, JUL 28, 2018
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