Bangladesh vs Windies: 1st Test, Preview- Confident Tigers up against Holder-less visitors

The Tigers are yet to beat Windies in Test cricket at home.

Published - 21 Nov 2018, 18:31 IST | Updated - 21 Nov 2018, 18:31 IST

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Bangladesh have carved a reputation as a tough team to compete against in their own den, having defeated some big teams. However, Zimbabwe beat them in Sylhet to show that the Tigers aren’t invincible at home by any stretch of the imagination. Nevertheless, the hosts won the third match to make a comeback and save themselves from the embarrassment of losing a Test series at home.

They would now be up against Windies, who have been pretty lacklustre in the longest format of late. The Caribbean team lost against India as they surrendered tamely to the world number one team. Moreover, the visitors won’t be having the services of Jason Holder, their regular skipper. The experienced Holder was one of their standout performers in India, both with the willow and leather.

Nevertheless, they can take heart from the fact that they defeated Bangladesh earlier this year in a two-match series. The Tigers are yet to beat Windies in Test cricket at home. But bearing in mind their recent form, the former can be speculated to be the favourites. The first Test of the two-match Test series is scheduled to start tomorrow at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.

Team Combination

Bangladesh

Soumya Sarkar is likely to open with Imrul Kayes. Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque form the core of the middle-order. It is still not known whether Shakib would play or not. If he doesn’t, then Ariful Haque will retain his spot. In Shakib’s absence, Mahmudullah will remain as the captain. A lot would depend on the spinners- Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan.

Predicted XI

Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan/Ariful Haque, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Khaled Ahmed

Windies

Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell will open the batting with Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer and Sunil Ambris to follow. Roston Chase and Shane Dowrich, being the in-form batters, have to stand up. The Windies are likely to go with two spinners- left-arm tweaker Jomel Warrican and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo with the part-timers of Chase. Gabriel and Roach are the fast bowlers.

Predicted XI

Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Kieran Powell, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Sunil Ambris, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich (wk), Devendra Bishoo, Jomel Warrican, Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach

Focus will be on

Mushfiqur Rahim- Bangladesh

The 31-year-old recently became the first wicketkeeper with as many as two double centuries in Tests and hence, there’s no doubt whatsoever surrounding his current form. He failed in Sylhet but made a comeback in the next encounter. The Windies have a power-packed bowling lineup and Rahim’s team would be looking up to the veteran for delivering the goods.

Devendra Bishoo- Windies

Bishoo had a topsy-turvy run against India. He got four wickets in Rajkot but returned wicketless in Hyderabad. Nonetheless, he is expected to play a pivotal role in Bangladesh on wickets, which will have plenty for the spinners. The hosts have strained at times against the Zimbabwean bowlers and Bishoo definitely has the potential to put the skids under them.