Bangladesh finally get back in action on Wednesday, after a long period without cricket due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They host West Indies in the first of three ODIs in Dhaka on a day where a little bit of normality returns to the country.
Usually these bi-lateral ODI series this far away from a World Cup have little context to them but with series these days going towards qualifying for the next global 50 over event these three matches should carry a competitive edge to them even with all that is going on in the world.
Bangladesh
Although the national side have been inactive since prior to the pandemic striking, their players have been busy with the Bangladesh Premier League that took place just prior to Christmas so they are not going into this series completely cold like some teams have had to do when they have come out of lockdown. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if they need a match to hit top stride, particularly as they are under new leadership in this match.
Tamim Iqbal takes the reins for the 50 over side now and he has had 10 months to think about how he is going to do things. The one advantage he has on previous captains is that he has a settled and experienced batting order to rely on. His only issues are who he utilises with the ball and whether he sticks with the tried and tested or has an eye on the future and looks to blood some new players in even this far out from the World Cup.
West Indies
In contrast to their opponents here, West Indies have been one of the most active teams since the initial lockdown and that has seen them devoid of some big names here who have decided to take this series off having spent so long in various bubbles. Whenever sides are missing a host of players it creates an opportunity for others so there is a chance for the tourists to show that they have plenty of squad strength here.
The way the world is has meant that West Indies have not been able to play a warm up match ahead of this series and when you think their latest outings were in New Zealand there is a bit of adjusting that needs to be done, so in theory we are probably not going to see them at their best in this match. If West Indies are going to win this match then they are going to need their senior players to step up with both the bat and the ball.
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Team News
Liton Das looks to have cemented himself as the opening partner to Tamim Iqbal, the new captain who will be delighted to have Shakib al Hasan back from his suspension. That leaves the only selection choice being whether Mahedi Hasan gets into the side or they go for the untried Taijul Islam.
West Indies will be skippered by Jason Mohammed in this series with Jason Holder skipping this part of the tour. They will be without Hayden Walsh Jr here as he contracted Covid and is isolating. It looks like Joshua Da Silva is going to open the batting.
Betting
Prior to the pandemic hitting I think it would be fair to say that Bangladesh were the better of these two sides in this format. That was certainly highlighted at the World Cup where the Tigers had a much better campaign of the two, and everything that has gone since then would suggest they remain the better team, particularly in these conditions. Then when you consider this is largely a second string West Indies side I think it is fair to accept the hosts hold all the aces in this one.
Then when you add into the mix that West Indies go into this match without a warm-up and the issues they have had I just fail to see anything apart from a comfortable Bangladesh win here. On the face of it the 4.5 wickets or 20.5 runs handicap looks a large one and if both sides were at full strength I might think twice about taking it but there are so many things against West Indies here that I believe Bangladesh will cover it comfortably enough.
Tips
WON – Back Bangladesh (-4.5wickets/20.5runs) to beat West Indies for a 3/10 stake at 1.73 with Bet365
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