Bangladesh vs Windies: 2nd ODI, Preview- Mashrafe Mortaza and Co favourites for another series victory

Jason Holder's absence has definitely hurt the Windies to a significant extent.

Published - 10 Dec 2018, 17:39 IST | Updated - 10 Dec 2018, 17:39 IST

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After a dominating campaign in the Test series against Windies, Bangladesh spewed venom in the first ODI at Sher-E-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka as well. The Tigers won by five wickets with approximately 15 overs to spare. It was a complete team performance from their perspective as they didn’t allow their opponents to get a foothold in the contest. Moreover, they took a 1-0 lead in the series.

After more than three months, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal played an ODI together and the introduction of the two stalwarts infused confidence in the players that was evident in the way they thrashed the visitors. The next contest is scheduled to be played tomorrow at the same venue and Mashrafe Mortaza’s men have the chance of slapping Windies with another series defeat.

The Caribbean team, on the other hand, are on the mat and are in requisite of pulling a rabbit out of the hat in order to make a comeback. They are still searching for their first win on the tour and Bangladesh won’t make it easy for them by any stretch of the imagination. Jason Holder’s absence has hurt them to a significant extent and they just don’t seem to find a way out of the misery.

Team Combination

Bangladesh

The Tigers are unlikely to make any changes. Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das are the opening batsmen with Imrul Kayes and Soumya Sarkar batting in the middle order. The onus would be on keeper Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan to deliver. Shakib will also partner Mehidy Hasan in the spin department. Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, and Mortaza are the fast bowlers.

Probable XI

Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain

Windies

The Windies don’t have many choices and will remain unchanged. Kieran Powell and Shai Hope are the openers with left-hander Darren Bravo to follow. Marlon Samuels and Shimron Hetmyer would bat at number four and five respectively. Skipper Rovman Powell and Chase need to come to the party. Thomas, Roach, and Paul are the pacers with Bishoo as the specialist spinner.

Probable XI

Kieran Powell, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Devendra Bishoo, Oshane Thomas

Focus will be on

Imrul Kayes- Bangladesh

The 31-year-old from Khulna scored 349 runs in three matches against Zimbabwe, opening the batting. But he was sent at number three the other day as Tamim Iqbal and Liton Das were preferred as the openers. The left-hander couldn’t deliver and perished to Oshane Thomas after hitting a streaky boundary. Kayes would be looking to make amends and score big next time.

Darren Bravo- Windies

The 29-year-old batsman from Trinidad made a return to the ODI team after a gap of two years and the comeback wasn’t a memorable one for him by any means. The southpaw strained with a 51-ball 19 before falling prey to Mashrafe Mortaza. Bravo has a sound technique and he would have to step up if the Windies are looking to draw level and keep themselves alive in the series.