(UTV|COLOMBO) – With the marquee 50-over event just two weeks away, getting quality game time764 will be on top of both teams’ priority.
Bangladesh has been the team of the tournament, winning all their games comfortably, and shining both with the ball and the bat.
They have already defeated West Indies twice in the span of a week, restricting them to sub-par totals.
While their victory in the last game was marred by Shakib Al Hasan retiring hurt due to a side strain, after scoring a fifty, BCB selector Minhajul Abedin has assured his injury is not serious and will not have an impact on his World Cup chances.
West Indies had started the tri-series with a bang, securing a 196-run win over hosts Ireland, but have struggled since. They have been outdone by Bangladesh in all departments, but considering this is not the full-strength side that will play in England, they wouldn’t be too upset with the losses, considering that they have given them a chance to assess their bench strength.
The key player for Bangladesh will be Abu Jayed. The 25-year-old is only two ODIs old, but has already impressed big time. After a sedate debut, the seamer picked up a five-wicket haul in the final league game against Ireland, which included the prize scalp of Ireland centurion Paul Stirling, helping Bangladesh remain unbeaten in the series.
Shai Hope carries West Indies hopes. With two centuries and a half-century in four games, Hope is the leading run-getter in the series, with close to 400 of them, at an average of 99.
He is the only batsman who has looked comfortable against Bangladesh’s bowling line-up. Hope averages 63.87 in 2019, and an extension of that kind of form into the World Cup would hold West Indies in good stead at the flagship event.
West Indies captain Jason Holder believes Shai Hope has the potential to be the best ODI player ever. The weather is expected to be cloudy, with brief showers expected around noon, but they shouldn’t get in the way of a full game.
Squads
West Indies: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Sunil Ambris, Darren Bravo, John Campbell, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Ashley Nurse, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Liton Das, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abu Jayed, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Yasir Ali, Nayeem Hasan.
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