Bangladesh will start three matches ODI series against West Indies tomorrow at SBNCS Dhaka. The second and third would be played at Dhaka and Sylhet on 11 and 14 December.
It may turn out the time great Mashrafe would be appearing in front of his home crowd in international cricket. Without any semblance of doubt Charismatic Mashrafe is one of the greatest cricketers of Bangladesh history. Him joining politics and set for contesting for general elections from his home city Narail greater Jashore on 30 December. It is widely speculated that he may retire after the ensuing ICC world cup cricket in England. Bangladesh starts favorite in the ODI series after having won the test series comfortably 2-0. Bangladesh also won the recent ODI series on tour to West Indies 2-1. Now with an added motivation can they achieve an ODI series whitewash?
Definitely a change of format changes the competence and capabilities of teams. In test West Indies is ranked higher than Bangladesh. Bangladesh won so easily. Bangladesh ranks higher than West Indies in ODI .Naturally general expectation would be Bangladesh in its own condition should win easy. But in cricket nothing should be taken for granted any time anywhere. Miracle happens.
The teams have played a warm up ODI match which Bangladesh won easy chasing a huge total on D/L method. Tamim returning after recovering from injury scored a breezy characteristic century. Flamboyant Soumya got another. Mashrafe looked good with the ball and batted aggressively. Couple of West Indian batsmen also batted fluently. The ODI series is expected witnessing much closer contests.
Teams news: Bangladesh gets a boost as sure stars Tamim and Shakib back in action. Mashrafe has also preferred his cricket commitment over anything else. Though Imrul Kayes, Liton and Soumya were inconsistent in test series yet they were in prolific form in ODI in recent past. Liton also played a punishing innings in his last appearance in Test. Middle order and late middle order looks mobile and dynamic. Bangladesh would have selection puzzle.
In our opinion Soumya may be opening with Tamim ahead of Kayes and Liton may be batting at six. Shakib prefers batting at three, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad would bat at four and five. If Liton bats at 6, Miraz and Mashrafe would be slotted at 7 and 8. If Bangladesh appears with four pacers, Saifuddin, Rubel and Mustafiz would follow. West Indies showed weakness against spin. It may so happen that Nazmul Opu may be preferred over Saifuddin.
Bangladesh has now a very balanced bowling attack with required diversity and depth. Mashrafe leads the pace attack with Mustafiz and Rubel two capable partners. Shakib leads the pack of spin. Miraz and Nazmul provide him support. If necessary pace all rounder Saifuddin may be preferred. If Bangladesh scores 270-280 they have the weapons to defend.
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Capt.), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Liton K Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Ariful Haque, Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Opu, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider Rony.
West Indies team does not have Gayle, Lewis, Holder, Narine and Russell in the team. But they have called back Daren Bravo to bolster their middle order. Hetmyer batted aggressively in the test series. Veteran Marlon Samuels has lot of experience of playing in Bangladesh. Roston Chase, Shai Hope, Braithwaite and two Powells are expected to bat well in ODI. West Indies will have a blistering fast bowler Oshane Thomas creating few issues even on unresponsive Bangladesh wickets along side Roach and Keemo Paul. Bishoo, Chase and Samuels would take care of the spin attack.
West Indies: Rovman Powell (Capt.), Marlon Samuels, Roston Chase, Devendra Bishoo, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Daren Bravo, Shai Hope, Carlos Brathwaite, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Fabien Allen, Kemar Roach, Sunil Ambris, Oshane Thomas
The first match of any series is very important. The team winning the advantage would have nose in front for winning the series.
As told earlier this may turn out the last appearance of great Mashrafe in international cricket in front of his adoring home crowd. Each member of the team love him as friend, philosopher and guide. They will have special motivation for him as they showed in his last T20 international in Sri Lanka. But in any case business as usual should see Bangladesh winning the series and even earning series whitewash.
BDST: 1325 HRS, DEC 8, 2018
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