Can Bangladesh have a strong away series?
A struggling and injury-hit Bangladesh have reached West Indies for a lengthy tour which kicks off with a two-match Test series. Without their captain and a couple of star players, the young blood from Bangladesh will be looking to make their names at the biggest stage.
Ahead of the first Test, here’s our match preview and predictions.
West Indies vs Bangladesh 1st Test | Bangladesh tour of West Indies 2024 | 19:30 IST, November 22
Bangladesh come to the West Indies, not only in a period of transition but also without their captain and some big names. Their captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, will be missing out due to an injury while their veteran batter and former captain, Mushfiqur Rahim will also miss out due to a finger injury. Bangladesh go into a Test series for the first time in more than 16 years without Shakib Al Hasan, Rahim or Tamim Iqbal!
Bangladesh’s biggest worry will be their batting lineup, which is low on experience. Litton Das, who returns to the team after a brief period of absence due to being unwell which saw him miss out on the South Africa tour. Das, Mominul Haque, and Mahmudul Hasan Joy will have to shoulder extra responsibility at the top of the order. Haque, Shahadat Hossain, Litton Das all got starts in the tour match the Asian team played but none of them went on to convert it into a big score. Stand-in captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz also knows that he will have a lot of responsibility with the bat in hostile conditions.
While it might not be too promising on the batting front, the visitors come in with a strong pace attack which includes the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud. Young spinner Hasan Murad meanwhile ended up with a hattrick in the tour game while Miraz will also be the lead spinner with Taijul Islam.
The hosts on the other hand, also have a young and inexperienced squad but have a fair amount of veterans as well. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite will be leading from the front, in all ways while their keeper Joshua Da Silva will also be key with the bat. Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty and Kavem Hodge will also have the spotlight on them as the youngsters will be looking to have a strong home series and also cement their spots in the red-ball squad. West Indies also boasts of a strong pace attack, with Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales all set to trouble the visitors.
At the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, expect the bowlers to play a crucial role and it will be the hosts who are the favourites to start the series with a win.
Fantasy XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, Mominul Haque, Litton Das, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Josahua Da Silva, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana
Venue: North Sound
Winners Prediction: West Indies
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