Winning a cricket match demands a number of critical factors, including understanding and implementing the strengths on the field, overcoming shortcomings, seizing chances, and neutralizing threats. These factors will be crucial during the Bangladesh vs West Indies Test Series 2022. The opening Test of the two-match series will take place at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from Thursday (June 16). A SWOT analysis of the two teams addresses several key issues ahead of the series opener. Let’s take a quick look at each team’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
SWOT Analysis of the Bangladesh Test Team
The BCB selector announced a 15-member squad for the Bangladesh vs West Indies Test Series 2022. Important players such as Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Shoriful Islam will all miss the series due to personal reasons and injury issues.
Strengths
Two of the experienced batters, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, along with the in-form Litton Das, will be key for Bangladesh during the series. Shakib and Tamim have a solid record against the Caribbean side, while Litton’s batting performance in the Test format over the last one and a half years has been very impressive.
In bowling, Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam’s spin bowling would be key for Bangladesh as West Indians are not well-equipped to play spin bowling. Individual records also favor Shakib and Taijul against the West Indies.
Bangladesh’s Notable Batting Stats
Bangladesh’s Notable Bowling Stats
Tamim Iqbal: 427 runs in 12 innings (HS: 128);
Shakib Al Hasan: 257 runs in 8 innings (HS: 96*)
Shakib Al Hasan: 21 wickets in 7 innings (BBI: 6/33)
Taijul Islam: 11 wickets in 6 innings (BBI: 5/135).
Weaknesses
Bangladesh will miss in-form Mushfiqur Rahim, who is skipping the series due to performing the Hajj pilgrimage. The veteran Mushfiqur was in great touch against Sri Lanka and was the top scorer for Bangladesh’s team. Besides, not having off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who has a brilliant record against West Indies, is another big loss for the visiting team.
Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam are two of the best Test bowlers at the moment, but they are not part of the squad due to injuries. Both Taskin and Shoriful were injured during the South Africa series. Shoriful made a return in the first Test against Sri Lanka, but he injured himself again during the match.Bangladesh will miss some of their key players during the series, which is their biggest weakness.
Opportunities
Shakib Al Hasan’s record against West Indies as a captain has been superb. Under his captaincy, Bangladesh whitewashed West Indies (2-0) at home in 2018. The Shakib-led Bangladesh team has faced the West Indies five times, winning three and losing two. Team Tigers should be hopeful that captain Shakib will inspire everyone through his leadership to come out on top against the Windies. So, it will be a good opportunity for both Bangladesh and Shakib to improve their records against the Caribbean side.
Bangladesh will overtake England in the ICC Test Championship points standings if they beat the Windies. Team Tigers are presently ranked ninth with 51 points in the ICC Test rankings. Bangladesh will receive 61 rating points if they win both of their matches against the Windies, but their standings will remain unchanged.
On an individual level, Shakib Al Hasan has an opportunity to score his 13,000 international runs. On the other hand, Tamim Iqbal is very close to reaching his 5,000-Test run milestone, while Najmul Hossain Shanto can also complete his 1,000 Test runs.
It will be a great opportunity for some of the young players to show off their skills and solidify their spot in the Test team. The series will provide young players with valuable experience that will help them grow as players.
Threats
In the latest series against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh batters showed their weaknesses against the faster bowlers. Two Lankan pacers were so dominant over the Bangladeshi batters. There is no doubt that, in the West Indies, the pitches would be more suited to the pace bowlers. If the curators make more pace-friendly wickets, then it would pose a real threat to Bangladesh batters. Moreover, almost all of the Caribbean pacers had a great outing during their recent Test series against England.
Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel are two bowlers who have had better recent series records against Bangladesh. Both Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph have had strong performances against England, so they can be devastating. The Bangladesh team needs to come up with a proper and strategic plan against the West Indian fast bowlers.
If Bangladesh lose both matches, they would lose three important rating points. They will have 54 points if they level the series 1-1. However, the outcome of the series will have no impact on their rankings.
SWOT Analysis of the West Indies Test Team
The Windies Cricket Board has named a 12-man team for the first Test against Antigua and Barbuda. Veerasammy Permaul, Shamarh Brooks, and Kemar Roach were not selected for the first match. These players took part in the England series.
Strengths
The West Indian national team will benefit much from playing in their own backyard. Furthermore, the West Indian team’s confidence is high right now after winning the England series 1-0. The Windies opener, Kraigg Brathwaite, had a fantastic series and was named Player of the Series. Joshua Da Silva, the wicket-keeper batsman, displayed his skills as both a batter and a keeper against England. Furthermore, all of the Windies’ front-line pacers is in excellent form and is capable of terrorizing Bangladesh’s batting line-up.
West Indies Notable Batting Stats
Kraigg Brathwaite: 817 runs in 19 innings (HS: 212);
Kyle Mayers: 261 runs in 4 innings (HS: 210*)
Kemar Roach: 34 wickets in 16 innings (BBI: 6/48)
Shannon Gabriel: 24 wickets in 14 innings (BBI: 5/77)
Weaknesses
Apart from opener Kraigg Brathwaite, the top and middle-order batters of the West Indies side have struggled with the bat in the recent series. This West Indian team doesn’t have enough quality spinners in their kitty to pose a real threat to Bangladesh’s batting line-up, which is a major weakness for them.
In addition, seasoned pacer Kemar Roach will be assessed for fitness. Roach will be named to the first Test squad if he recovers from his injury. All-rounder, Jason Holder has been allowed a break and will miss the whole Bangladesh series.
Opportunities
The West Indies can close the gap with Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship points table if they manage to whitewash Bangladesh in the series. So, it will be a great opportunity for them to improve their percentage in the Test Championship points standings.
On an individual level, Kraigg Braithwaite can reach the 5,000-Test run milestone if he maintains his great run of form in the Bangladesh series. Besides, Kemar Roach and Jason Holder are on the verge of their 250 and 150 wicket milestones.
If the West Indies clean sweep Bangladesh, they have a chance to gain three vital rating points. However, it will have no effect on their rankings. Similarly, if the Windies draw the series, they would lose three crucial points.
This series will be a huge learning experience for the young West Indian players. Playing against two of the best spinners in the world, Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam, will provide them valuable experience for future matches.
Threats
Traditionally, West Indian batters are not known to play well against spinners. Bangladesh spinners can seize the opportunity of the West Indies’ weakness and create pressure on their batting line-up. Particularly, Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam will pose a serious challenge to the Windies’ batters. The host team must devise a strategy when facing the Bangladesh spinners.
If the West Indies lose the series 2-0, they will lose 9 points. Regardless, they will remain in 9th position.
Aftermath
The SWOT analysis of the two sides for the Bangladesh vs West Indies Test Series 2022 reveals that no team is favourite. Both teams have certain strong features as well as shortcomings that will affect their performance. In this scenario, the side that can limit its shortcomings throughout the series has a higher chance of dominating its opponent. The most essential thing for both sides is to concentrate on their capabilities and strive to surpass their opponents in order to have a competitive advantage.
Bangladesh’s senior players and spin department are two strong areas. Therefore, Tamim, Shakib, Litton, and Taijul will need to be at their best throughout the series if they are to beat the Windies. Oppositely, Bangladesh’s biggest concerns would be the current form of Windies Captain Kraigg Brathwaite and the Caribbean fast bowling unit.
SOURCE: UNITED NEWS OF BANGLADESH