Team Tigers did not play any international match during the COVID -19 Pandemic during 2019. Apart from Tamim Iqbal none even played any match in any other franchise cricket anywhere. Even no longer version cricket match has been organized in Bangladesh. The only cricket matches Bangladesh has played are BCB Presidents Cup ODIs and Bangabandhu T20 tournament.  In the backdrop of above Bangladesh is hosting a below strength West Indies for Tests and ODI series starting from 20 January 2021. Bangladesh ranks above West Indies in ODI but ranks below in Test Ranking.  It is true that the Test and ODI squads due to reach Bangladesh on 10 January 2021 do not include Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, Roston Chase, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran. Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich there is no reason terming Touring Squad easy oppositions for Bangladesh considering Bangladesh strength and lack international matches off late. BCB must not forget that just prior to COVID outbreak Bangladesh test team had night marish experience against Pakistan, India and even against Rookie Afghanistan. Just after ICC World Cup 2019 Bangladesh was White Washed by Sri Lanka in ODI series. 

Let us look at the Test Squad Of West Indies 

Test Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican.

The pace trio Shannon Gabriel, Khmer Roach and Alzari Josef can test any batsman of the world on a wicket having something for them. Even this combination crashed full strength Bangladesh 42 all out in a test innings not in the distant past. The squad contains heavy weight Rahkeem Cornwall and Jomel Warricon quality spinners.  Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermine Blackwood were among the successful West Indies batsmen in tests against England and New Zealand. Kavern Hodge is a quality top order batsman who might not have played tests yet but can prove success in Bangladesh. He also bowls left arm orthodox spin. Shayne Mosely is a quality left handed opening batsman who may prove a thorn for Bangladesh. Hodge and Meyers toured as reserve players of West Indies to England and New Zealand. Mosely is fresh from a very successful West Indies A team Tour to New Zealand. Meyers is a regular performer of West Indies domestic cricket. John Campbell, Joshua Da Silva, Veerasammy Permaul and Raymon Reifer are tried and tested players. In such situation West Indies team in Test will still remain a formidable opposition for Bangladesh whether a spinning or pace favouring wicket is prepared.

On the other hand Bangladesh without any exposure to longer version cricket for almost a year would struggle against potent West Indies attack –quality pace and not too bad spin bowling. Excepting Tamim, Shakib, Mominul and Mushfique none has raw skills to encounter quality Caribbean attack. Tamim in recent time did not look like at his brilliant best. Shakib was completely off colour. Mominul is recovering from a hand surgery. In such situation BCB took a great risk in excluding Mahmudullah Riad from the test squad. We find no excuse for omitting Riad from the test squad. Whatever little cricket Bangladesh played over the past few weeks Riad looked in prime form with his bat. Players with lesser international experience and rookies can not perform better than experienced tried and tested player. We must not forget that apart from Mushfique none looked at all consistent. We also cannot compare ODI and T20 batting in white ball cricket with test match performance. Hope after three ODIs BCB would review test squad as success in ODI will also largely depend on how Tamim, Mushfique, Riad and Shakib bat? 

Our suggested test Squad Should Be 

Tamim, Shadman, Mominul, Mushfique, Shakib, Riad, Liton ,Mehedy Miraj, Abu Jayed , Ebadat Hossain , Taijul Islam, Mohammad Mithun , Nazmul Hossain, Nayeem Hasan   and  Nurul Hasan.

We are not sure whether Mustafiz and Taskin should be primed for at least one test after ODI series? 

BCB must not forget that Bangladesh is now at rock bottom in test ranking, theoretically below even Afghanistan. It will not be easy winning against the depleted or understrength whatever less informed BCB may think about. Bangladesh concern is in both batting and bowling. The West Indian squad retains full strength attack. On the other hand Bangladesh bowling does not have weapons to take 20 wickets of even this West Indies team. Top Bangladeshi batsmen struggled against own pacers on not too pacey wickets. Gabriel, Roach and Josef would test them on any wicket. 

Will analyse ODI prospect separately.

BDST: 1450 HRS, JAN 08, 2021
AP