The limited-overs series between West Indies and Bangladesh kicks off on July 2 with a three-match T20I series, which will be followed by a three-match ODI series. The first game of the T20I series will be played at Windsor Park in Roseau, Dominica on Saturday.

West Indies were brilliant in the two-match Test series held last month. They completed a 2-0 whitewash as the Asian side never stood any chance in both matches.

Kraigg Brathwaite led the Test side and now Nicholas Pooran will be back leading the white-ball side. Some exciting T20 players will be a part of the squad who will look to start the T20I series on a winning note. The home conditions will favor the Caribbean side and will start the T20I series as favorites.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, is struggling on this tour. They have lost both Tests so far and need something special to bounce back.

Mahmudullah will continue to lead the Bangladeshi side in the shortest format. Most of their players were part of the Test squad and will look to use their experience of playing in these conditions while playing the shorter formats. They have built a solid squad and will be eager for a turnaround in fortunes with a change in format after a drubbing in the Test series.

WI VS BAN TEAM PREVIEWS

WEST INDIES

West Indies are coming off a dominating win in the Test series and while that series win would have imbibed a lot of confidence in the colored outfit as well, the team is going to change massively over the two formats. They would wish to assert their dominance in this series well and the fact that the West Indies enjoy playing this format more than the other ones gives them that wee bit of an advantage.

With T20 stalwarts available right through, West Indies would want to go all guns blazing here. They still do not have their full-strength side available and it would be interesting to see how they conduct themselves as far as the performance is concerned. On paper, they have an immaculately balanced side and the home advantage will only add to their advantage. Considering that and the side that they have, all they would need to do is to play to their strengths and if they can do that, getting past them could prove to be a very difficult task.

BANGLADESH

Bangladesh has always been there or thereabout in this format of the game, but they have seldom managed to hit the top drawer. They will be hoping to do that in the two ICC events – the Asia Cup and the World T20, but given their form and the strengths of their opponents, it is not going to be easy.

This short series against West Indies would play a key role in predicting Bangladesh’s journey in the two marquee events. They have not played much T20 Cricket of late and will need to hit the ground running. To their advantage, they have an almost full-strength side at their disposal and would want to use that to their advantage. They have a decent side and if they can play to their peak potential, getting past them could prove to be incredibly difficult.

WEST INDIES VS BANGLADESH MATCH DETAILS:

Match: West Indies vs Bangladesh, 1st T20I, Bangladesh tour of West Indies, 2022
Date and Time: Saturday, July 2, 2022, 11:00 pm IST
Venue: Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica

WEATHER CONDITIONS

There would be partly overcast skies over Antigua on all days of the game starting June 16. We expect to see a good batting surface on the first two days of the game, and it would start to crumble and aid spinners as the game progresses. The average 1st innings score here is 287 runs and the side batting first would be happy to put up 400 runs on the board.

VENUE DETAILS

Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua has a slow surface, and it poses a challenge for the batsmen. Batsmen must get accustomed to the pace of the surface before playing their strokes on this surface. There is some assistance for the fast bowlers with the new ball. The slow nature of the surface makes it a happy hunting ground for the spinners.

TOSS: TO BAT

This pitch is known for getting tricky as the game progresses and batsmen find it difficult to bat here on days 4 and 5. Both the captains shall have this in their minds at the toss and the one winning the toss should have no hesitation in opting to bat first in the game. 

PROBABLE PLAYING XI

WEST INDIES

Possible XI: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Nicholas Pooran (c and wk), Shamarh Brooks, Rovman Powell, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy.

BANGLADESH

Possible XI: Liton Das, Shahriar Nafees, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah(c), Afif Hossain, Nurul Hasan(wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.

PROBABLE TOP PERFORMERS

PROBABLE THE BEST BATTER OF THE MATCH

NICHOLAS POORAN

West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran would wish to have a good outing against Bangladesh in the upcoming T20I series. The left-handed batter is an attacking batter but likes to take a few balls before playing the big shots. Pooran would want to play a few match-winning knocks against the deflated Bangladesh side in the upcoming series.

PROBABLE THE BEST BOWLER OF THE MATCH

MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN

The left-arm pacer from Bangladesh Mustafizur Rahman has been in the international arena for quite a long time, but the batters still struggle to pick his slower deliveries. Rahman is one of the most vital bowlers in the Bangladesh camp and the left-arm seamer would look to scalp some vital wickets in the upcoming series.

WEST INDIES VS BANGLADESH MATCH PREDICTION

Having clean-swept the Asian side in the Test series, West Indies will look to keep performing similarly in the limited-overs series. Bangladesh needs to be on its toes to register its first win of the tour.

West Indies look like a settled unit and will come into this series high on confidence. They are expected to come out on top on Saturday.

Prediction: West Indies to win this encounter.