The first Test of the two-match series between the hosts West Indies and Bangladesh is all set to begin Thursday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua.
The series has been named after the Padma Bridge – “Padma Bridge Dream Fulfilled Friendship Test Series Presented by Walton.”
In Test cricket, the Tigers are more experienced than the Caribbeans who recently played against Pakistan in a different format and a different condition.
Kraigg Brathwaite will lead the hosts who will miss the services of Jason Holder and Kemar Roach.
The West Indies have included three uncapped players in their Test squad which is already a young side.
Bangladesh will look to regain their confidence in Tests in this series under the captaincy of Shakib Al Hasan who returned to the role after Mominul Haque stepped aside recently.
In the last series at home against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh suffered a 1-0 defeat. There were some individual flashes of brilliance, but that was not enough for the Tigers to avoid a sweeping defeat.
If experience is an advantage for the visitors, they may suffer playing against the Dukes ball which is not used in the subcontinent. The hosts’ pacers could pose a serious challenge with this type of ball in their backyard.
Bangladesh will miss the service of Mushfiqur Rahim who chose to not play in this series due to personal reasons. Yasir Ali Rabbi who suffered a back injury during the tour match was subsequently ruled out of the series.
Liton Das might not keep wicket in this series. Nurul Hasan Sohan might get a place in the playing XI as a specialist wicketkeeper.
This series will be a great chance for the Tigers to get some points for the ICC World Test Championship. Bangladesh have only one win in this cycle of the event. They beat the hosts New Zealand earlier this year.
The first match will begin at 8pm Bangladesh time Thursday. However, it is still not clear who will telecast the series in Bangladesh. As of Wednesday evening, the Bangladesh Cricket Board was unable to provide any information about it.
Probable Bangladesh XI
Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan, Najmul Hossain, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das (vc), Nurul Hasan (wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Mustafizur Rahim
Probable West Indies XI
Kraigg Brathwaite (c), John Campbell, N Bonner, Kyle Mayers, Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Joshua Da Silva, Raymon Reifer, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales
Source: United News of Bangladesh