The Cricketer provides all the information you need ahead of the three-match ODI series between Bangladesh and West Indies
A three-match 50-over series between Bangladesh and West Indies. The matches form part of the 2020-23 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League with 30 points on offer across the series.
First ODI: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (Wednesday, January 20 – 8:00am GMT, 2:00pm local time)
Second ODI: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (Friday, January 22 – 8:00am GMT, 2:00pm local time)
Third ODI: Zahur Ahmed Chowdury Stadium, Chattogram (Monday, January 25 – 8:00am GMT, 2:00pm local time)
Bangladesh haven’t played an ODI since March 6, 2020 when they defeated Zimbabwe by 123 runs in Sylhet. However, the last time these two sides met in Bangladesh in 2018/19, the hosts won the series 2-1 while the West Indies are without a series win on the sub-continent since 2012.
Furthermore, in completing a 3-0 whitewash over Zimbabwe last March, Bangladesh extended an excellent run of form which has seen them lose just one of their last 10 bilateral ODI series on home soil (a 2-1 defeat to England in 2016/17).
They will be playing the series without their most capped ODI player, Mashrafe Mortaza, who was omitted from the preliminary squad announced earlier this month. Mortaza, who is Bangladesh’s leading ODI wicket-taker, stepped down from captaincy last year and is no longer favoured by the selectors.
However, Bangladesh are bolstered by the return of Shakib Al Hasan from his one-year suspension while Tamim Iqbal is expected to continue as ODI captain.
Bangladesh are without veteran bowler Mashrafe Mortaza who was omitted from the preliminary squad
Bangladesh preliminary squad: Tamim Iqbal Khan (c), Taskin Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Al Amin Hossain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Md. Shoriful Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Hasan Mahmud, Md Mithun, Saif Uddin, Liton Kumer Das, Mustafizur Rahman, Md Mahmud Ullah, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Taijul Islam, Musaddek Hossain Saikat, Nasum Ahmed, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Parvez Hossain Emon, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Mahadi Hasan, Naim Sheikh, Rubel Hossain
Like Bangladesh, West Indies are short on match sharpness having not played an ODI series since February 2020 (a 3-0 defeat in Sri Lanka) and their recent poor form in the Asian subcontinent is a cause for concern.
However, the biggest challenge facing West Indies is the absence of a dozen high-profile stars from their travelling squad. Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard (ODI only), Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks (Test only), Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell (ODI only), Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran all made themselves unavailable for the tour, citing COVID-19 related concerns, while Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich are absent for personal reasons.
Arriving in Bangladesh with a squad containing nine uncapped players, West Indies have been weakened further with the loss of senior spinner Hayden Walsh, who has been ruled out of the series after testing positive for COVID-19.
Jason Mohammed captains the side in Pollard’s absence but with West Indies fielding such an inexperienced squad in hostile conditions, it’s hard to see them emerging from this series with a win.
Jason Holder (L), Nicholas Pooran (C) and Sheldon Cottrell (R) are some of the big names missing for West Indies
West Indies squad: Jason Mohammed (c) Sunil Ambris (vc), Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Keon King, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy, Kjorn Ottley, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer.
With no rain forecast between now and the final ODI on January 25, the pitches should be dry in both Dhaka and Chattogram. Conditions for all matches are forecast to be still with temperatures hovering between 21oC and 28oC.
Ban Tech hold the rights to all three ODI matches in Bangladesh, taking over from previous broadcasters Gazi TV, while viewers in the Caribbean can catch all the action on Flow Sports.
In India, the series is available on Star Sports (in English, Hindi and Tamil) and is also being streamed online on Hotstar. Willow TV, meanwhile, have the rights in the United States.
There is currently no confirmed broadcaster in either the UK or Australia
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