West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has just announced 15 members Test and ODI squads for the tour of Bangladesh. West Indies will play 2 tests and 3 matches ODI series in the tour. The team would arrive in Bangladesh on 10 January 2021. The matches will be played observing bio security protocol in Dhaka and Chottogram. WICB has informed that for the concerns of CORONA and personal reasons leading players have opted out of the tour. 10 players including regular test captain Jason Holder and ODI Captain Kieran Pollard will be missing out. The others are Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Elvin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmeyer, Nicolas Puran, Fabian Allen and Shen Dorwitch. There is no doubt that absence of key players would take out lot of gloss from the two series. West Indies ranks above Bangladesh in test and below in ODI.

The two matches test series is a part of world test championship. The ODI series would be part of ICC Super League. 

Test Squad: Kraig Braithwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain), Enkruma Boner, John Campbell, Rakeem Cornwall, Joshua de Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzari Josef, Kyle Meyers, Shane Mozeli, Verashami Permeul, Khemar Roach, Roman Reifer and Jomel Warrican.
ODI Squad: Jason Mohammad (Captain), Sunil Ambris 
(Vice Captain), Enkruma Boner, Joshua de Silva, Jaimer Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akil Hossain, Alzari Josef, Kyle Meyers, Andre McCarthy, Keiron Otley, Rovman Powell, Roman Reifer, Romario Sheffered and Heiden Walsh (Junior) 

We are aware that Bangladesh has not played any international match at home or abroad till now during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand West Indies has played in England and New Zealand. Their domestic cricket was also held. Bangladesh has only played few 50 overs and T20 matches. We are not sure that Bangladesh can even prove competitive in test series against the depleted West Indies. The bowling attack still appears strong enough to test Bangladesh batting. On the other hand we are not sure whether Bangladesh attack would be strong enough in taking 20 wickets of West Indies in test. From the WICB announcement of Test and ODI Squads it appears that they have done research and assessment of Bangladesh team.
 
Whatever be the case Bangladesh must leave no stone unturned to win the test and ODI series. In my opinion Bangladesh should win the ODI series if the team selection is fair and some young budding talents are given opportunities along side established professionals. Senior players Shakib, Tamim, Mushfique, Mahmudullah have to take leading role. We are not sure whether Mashrafee would be included. He may play at least in one match. If he decides to hang up his bowling boots with that match that should be welcome. The most encouraging development is that Mustafiz, Taskin, Rubel are in good nick.  One must not worry about Shakib. He will be OK and will be back in his own self soon. 

The real concern is test series. Bangladesh has not taken any initiative to revamp domestic cricket format enabling formation of a quality test team. The diabolic performance in test series against Pakistan, India and Afghanistan could not give wake up call. The ensuing test series will be an acid test for turning around. Hope Bangladesh proves competitive. Absence of key players in West Indies team offers great opportunity for Bangladesh. 

BDST: 1315 HRS, DEC 30, 2020
AP