BCB has just announced 18 members Bangladesh squad for the two matches test series against touring West Indies scheduled to start at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium (ZACS) from 2 February. 

Having delivered 3-0 comprehensive series whitewash in ODI the confidence must have regenerated among the Bangladesh team though red ball test cricket is altogether a different ball game. Bangladesh has not done well in the recent past except against lowly Zimbabwe. Bangladesh players did not also play longer version cricket over the past 10 months even at home during this pandemic. Yet having the home advantage, return of star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan back in the team and above all considering that West Indies would appear without many of their frontline players Bangladesh is clearly favorite in the series. The 18-member squad have little surprise apart from omission of experienced Mahmudullah Riad. The inclusion of young pacer Hasan Mahmud is a good initiative. Though considerably weakened West Indies still possess a very strong bowling unit and some inform brilliant batsmen. The challenges would not be easy. Wins in two tests would be extremely beneficial for Bangladesh in improving ICC ranking. The upcoming two-match Test series will be Bangladesh's first assignment in the longest format since their innings victory against Zimbabwe at home in February 2020.

Bangladesh performed poorly against Pakistan, India on tour and even against Afghanistan at home. 

Squads: 
Bangladesh: Mominul Haque (c), Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Md Mithun, Liton Das, Yasir Ali, Saif Hassan, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Taijul Islam, Shadman Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Zayed, Ebadat Hossain, Hasan Mahmud 
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.

How Good Is The West Indies Squad?

Off course the touring team is considerably weaker for the absence of at least half a dozen for the first-choice team. But the test squad is much stronger than its ODI team that suffered 3-0 humiliations. We felt that Bangladesh might have performed the same against full strength WI in ODI from the past records of bilateral contest. But test cricket is different ball game where Bangladesh itself is lying at rock bottom. West Indies possess a very strong new ball attacks. Shannon Gabriel and Kemer Roach troubled Bangladesh in the past. Add with that Aljarri Josef and Kavem Hodge West Indies has a formidable pace attack. Whatever little the wickets of Bangladesh offer for the pacer WI i pacers will create huge challenge. Indian and Pakistani pace attack in the recent past exposed Bangladesh weakness against genuine pace. Whatever little cricket with white ball Bangladesh cricketers played at home during the pandemic, the weakness of Bangladesh batsmen was exposed against Bangladeshi pacers even.

We are sure Bangladesh would prefer slow low turning wicket. Even there also West Indies team has huge Rahkeem Conrnwall and Jomel Warrican who can exploit.  

Captain Kraigg Brtahwaite and Vice Captain Jermaine Blackwood are definitely not Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes. But they have enough potential for growing to that level. In England and New Zealand tour they had some successes. This West Indies team also possess some quality all-rounders in Kyle Mayers and Raymon Reifer. Much is expected from Joshua Da Silva as well.

How Good Will Be Bangladesh?
Bangladesh has no reason to be complacent. They cannot at all take opposition lightly. Bangladesh is least prepared in test cricket. None of the players played any longer version red ball cricket even at domestic circuit. Many of this West Indies team even during Corona Pandemic played Cricket at home, in England and New Zealand against formidable opposition. Much will depend on three of the five main stays Shakib, Tamim, Mushfique along with Captain Mominul, for batting Bangladesh to winning position or safety. 

Ignoring experienced inform Mahmudullah Riad may prove counter productive. Nazmul Shanto, Mohammad Mithun and Yasir Ali are still not in his class and calibre. West Indies with new ball will definitely make some in roads. With Shakib not 100% fit Bangladesh should definitely included Mahmudullah Riad. He has nothing to prove. He was in prolific form at Bangabandhu T20 and in the only innings which he had opportunity for batting in the third ODI against West Indies. Test cricket needs experience and Bangladesh cricket still cannot have the luxury of ignoring Mahmudullah like experienced campaigners. 

Tamim is in great touch. His three innings in ODI was less flamboyant given his own blistering batting. But these were of quality and he got enough time to set his bearings. But his partners (one among Saif Hassan, Shadman Islam and Nazmul Shanto) will have very difficult task in dealing with WI pacers. Early loss of wicket will create pressure on Mominul to get going. He has also just recovered from finger injury. West Indies pacers are aware of his weakness against short rising deliveries aimed at rib cage. Mushfique and Shakib will have to bat out of their skins to produce enough runs for the bowlers to defend. Injury to Shakib is another concern as well. In case Shakib cannot play Bangladesh challenges would compound. Would recommend in Mushfique not keeping the wicket as batting would be rotate around him as the King pin. Liton Das can keep and bat at six. I am not sure whether Mithun or Yasir Ali would step into the shoe of Mahmudullah Riad. 

In case Bangladesh late middle order needs to bat Bangladesh out of trouble Bangladesh would definitely miss Mahmudullah. Mehedi Miraj would definitely be the first choice spinner tp partner with Shakib. Taijul will be there as specialist spinner. Bangladesh in all possibility would appear with two pacers, two spinners and Shakib unless the wicket is low , slow and turner at ZACs . The strategy that BCB used against Australia and England may not work. Bangladesh must have learned bitter lesson against Rashid Khan inspired Afghanistan. Moreover, Abu Jayed Rahi, Mustafiz /Taskin /Ebadat may also trouble the West Indies if the wicket offers some pace. Inclusion of Hasan Mahmud is OK. Bangladesh should have matured a leg spinner during this series.

Test cricket is played over 15 sessions over 5 days. Team winning at least 11 sessions usually have upper hand. Consistency is the key in winning test or proving competitive. Bangladesh lacks these. Hope I am proved wrong. To me winning the Test Series will not be easy at all. Bangladesh test at this moment is possibly not equipped with enough weapons in the armoury for winning test against any of the top 9 teams. But home advantage against a weakened team offers golden opportunity. 

BDST: 1710 HRS, JAN 31, 2021
SMS