The first match of the BAN vs WI 2022 Twenty20 series will be held on Saturday (July 2) at the Windsor Park ground. The match will start at 11.30 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time). Bangladesh have to regroup themselves after a demoralizing display in the Test series against the Windies. There will be some changes in the Bangladesh T20 setup as veteran Mahmudullah Riyad will lead the side. On the other hand, Nicholas Pooran will lead the West Indies side. The Caribbean side has also made some changes to their T20 squad. The first T20I match preview is discussed in this article.
West Indies vs Bangladesh Series 2022: First T20I Match Preview
The series is very important for both the teams in order to identify the best possible squads for the upcoming 2022 ICC Twenty20 World Cup. Bangladesh have never played at Windsor Park, the venue of the first match. Oppositely, West Indies have played two matches and won one at this ground. Overall, Bangladesh have played 13 matches against the Caribbean side in the West Indies and they have a respectable record.
Bangladesh’s major concern at the moment is their batting. The team management is searching for an answer to a few questions regarding batting, such as: will the batters continue to struggle in the T20 format? Will they find a viable opening pair for the T20? Who will play the anchor role in the absence of Tamim Iqbal? And what’s the solution to power-hitting in the middle-order? In other words, the batters have to step up and show more responsibility in their approach.
Munim Shahriar and Anamul Haque are likely to open the innings as Mohammad Naim has been out of form for quite some time. For Anamul Haque, it will be another opportunity for him to cement his place in the Bangladesh squad. He should seize the chance by showing his true potential during the 3-match series. Besides, Litton, Shakib, and Mahmudullah will have to play a big role in the middle overs.
In bowling, Mustafizur’s cutter will cause problems for the Caribbean batters. Taskin and Shoriful have been brilliant for Bangladesh since 2021. Besides, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed could give a breakthrough at the start of the innings. Bangladesh’s bowling department seems more equipped than batting. As a result, they may have to undertake a little more responsibility in the game.
Top-Order: Munim Shahriar, Anamul Haque, Litton Das (wicket-keeper);
Middle-Order: Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah Riyad (captain), Afif Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed;
Lower-Order: Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
West Indies
The West Indies last played a T20I series in February against India. Kieron Pollard announced his retirement after the series and Nicholas Pooran was appointed as the new captain of the West Indies T20 side. There are some changes in their squad too, as household names like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, DJ Bravo, Sunil Narine, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, none of them are in the squad.
The West Indies Cricket Board is looking to build a new squad for their Twenty20 side. In the current setup, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran, and Rovman Powell will be key in the batting line-ups. In bowling, Romario Shepherd and Alzarri Joseph will likely lead the pace bowling unit. They also have Akeal Hosein and Hayden Walsh, both very good spinners.
Top-Order: Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Kyle Mayers;
Middle-Order: Nicholas Pooran (wicket-keeper and captain), Rovman Powell, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul;
Lower-Order: Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Hayden Walsh.
Weather Forecast and Pitch Report
The first match will be held on Saturday, and unfortunately, there is a strong chance of rain on that particular day in Dominica. There have only been two games played here thus far. According to the Windsor Park ground statistics, pace bowlers who have the ability to swing can thrive in the power play. It has been a low-scoring venue so far, but this statistic could change in the future.
Facing the West Indies in their own backyard will be a real challenge for Bangladesh. Team Tigers can take inspiration from their 2-1 series victory over the Caribbean side in 2018. Though the majority of the players in the 2018 Bangladesh squad will not be seen in the upcoming BAN vs WI 2022 T20I series. It’s a challenge captain Mahmudullah and the youngsters will have to take during the contest.
On the other hand, the West Indies will miss some key players, and a new-look squad will face Bangladesh. The opening game of the series will give an idea of which team will have an advantage in the following two matches. Therefore, both sides will try to outperform each other in the first T20I.
Source: United News of Bangladesh