Bangladesh and West Indies are preparing to square off in the opening match of a three-game ODI series, set to be played on Saturday at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka. For both teams, this is a chance to make statements after recent disappointments. Bangladesh, still reeling from a humiliating 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Afghanistan, are desperate to find their footing. That series highlighted glaring issues in
Bangladesh’s batting, especially in the top order. Now back on home soil, they look to reassert themselves under the leadership of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who, despite the chaos around him, has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball. There will be high expectations from the likes of Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, and Towhid Hridoy, who have underperformed in the past assignments.
On the other hand, West Indies enter this series licking their wounds from a Test series defeat against India. But ODI is one format where West Indies historically find their rhythm. The confidence, the power-hitting – it all comes alive in the 50-over game. Once they click, they are not just competitive; they're explosive. They’ll be banking on their power hitter batters to outmuscle Bangladesh and build early momentum in the series.
Head-to-head
Matches - 47
WI won - 24
BAN won - 21
No result - 2
Bangladesh probable XI: Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahidul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Jaker Ali, Nurul Hasan (wk), Rishad Hossain, Nahid Rana, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud.
West Indies probable XI: Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c&wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie, Justin Greaves, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales