Leaving aside their ODI disappointments, Bangladesh wants to start afresh when they take on West Indies in the three-match T20 International series opening game at Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent tomorrow (Monday).
The match starts at 06.00 AM (Bangladesh Time).
At a time, when the nation would celebrate its Victory Day, the Bangladesh in fact would play for their victory in a format, in which they have been extremely vulnerable.
But they exuded confidence to overcome the shortcomings despite knowing that West Indies are full of power-hitters, who know well how to crack this format.
“We know well that usually T20 matches are challenging for us,” Liton Das, who was appointed captain in T20 format, said via a video message from Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) ahead of the game. “This will bit tough for us since we’ll play this match on West Indies’ home ground. We will try to figure out how to overcome this and focus on playing a good series.”
The venue Arnos Vale is reputed as happy hunting ground for Bangladesh since they secured wins over Nepal and the Netherlands here during this year’s T20 World Cup. This is another reason that Tigers brim with confidence to deal with the hosts successfully.
West Indies might not be as strong in ODI and Test format as their heydays but they have always been superb in T20 format. Most of their players play franchise T20 cricket around the World and they have been in high in demand always.
Despite their limitations in Test and ODI format, they drew the Test series with Bangladesh 1-1 and later pulled off a surprise by sweeping the visitors in three-match ODI series.
Against Bangladesh, it was their first series victory since 2014. Also it was the Caribbean side’s first ODI series whitewash over a Test-playing nation in almost four years, since a 3-0 victory against Sri Lanka in March 2021.
However, despite West Indies’ absolute dominance in this format, Bangladesh didn’t fare that badly against them. Of the 16 meetings between the two sides, Bangladesh won five and lost nine while two ended with no-result.
But the last five encounters between the two sides saw West Indies won four and one was washed out.Bangladesh’s practice for the first T20 has been disrupted by rain but Liton expected that it won’t affect their game.
“There are no shortcomings because yesterday we also practiced fielding under the lights. Most of the players in this team have played both ODIs and Tests, so they are in touch with the game,” he said.
West Indies, however, will be without their two key players-Shai Hope who led the side in ODIs and Sherfane Rutherford, a player who was instrumental in ODI series victory over Bangladesh. Rovman Powell will lead the side.
Squad:
Bangladesh: Liton Das (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain Patwari, Sheikh Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Hasan Mahmud, Ripon Mondol and Nahid Rana
West Indies squad: Rovman Powell (c), Brandon King (vc), Keacy Carty, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Terrance Hinds, Akeal Hosein (first two matches only), Jayden Seales (third match only), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer.