Caribbean Challenge of the Bengal Tigers launches today with the commencement of the first of the three One Day Internationals (ODI) at National Cricket Stadium, St George’s. Judged from the recent declining and diminishing performance of Tigers in 2014 at home and weighing on the series of unfortunate controversies in Bangladesh cricket in the recent past, the tour entrusts on the tigers a huge task to redeem. Bangladeshis at home and Non Resident Bangladeshis world over are looking forward to Tigers redeeming at Caribbean in efforts of salvaging the sinking boat out of troubled water. But without their start all-rounder Shakib-al-Hasan serving a six months ban imposed on him by BCB for his alleged attitude problem the challenge will not be easy at all.
So far we have received encouraging news of the team. Though many players had to wait for their playing kits arriving late yet they gave a good account of themselves in the lone preparatory match smashing the Grenada by 72 runs at St Andrew’s on August 17, 2014. Batting first Bangladesh made a very impressive 322 for the loss of six wickets. Most of the batsmen appeared in good form with Tamim laying the foundation with aggressive 91 and Mahamuduallh finishing with 78. Anamul (24), Shamsur Rahman (32), Mushfique (44) and Nasir (22*) all made start. In reply, Grenada could be restricted to 227/9 when old foxes Mashrafee (3/ 44) and Razzak (2/35) bowled to their best. Though the ODI against a full-fledged West Indies team will be all together a different ball game yet Bangladesh could take a great heart from the winning start.
West Indians have just completed their CPL T 20. Many of their star players were in sparkling form in CPL. We are all aware of what destructive Chris Gayle or Kieron Pollard can do. If you add Bravo brothers (Darren and Dwayne) and Lendl Simmons to them, the batting unit has the capability of destroying any attack of the present day anywhere. We have to realise the challenges of Bangladesh bearing this in mind. But Bangladesh has brilliant record against West Indies in both West Indies at home and away in the past. Bangladesh white washed an under strength West Indies in both tests and ODI in its last tour there.
Bangladesh also won the ODI series against them last time when West Indies visited Bangladesh. Bangladesh also beat India and South Africa in the ICC World Cup played in the Caribbean.
Background:
Bangladesh cricket is going through a challenging phase. Year 2014 have seen the team sink the morale of the team to its lowest ever. Series of losses starting from Sri Lankan tour of Bangladesh and under performing in Asia Cup, T20 world cup created credibility of the team to stay in big league. It became unbelievable that the same team only a few months back White Washed strong Kiwis, almost won Asia Cup beating India and Sri Lanka and going down just against Pakistan. Top player Shakib had to be disciplined (though in controversial manner). The coaching staff resigned. Few other controversies created a mess in BCB and Bangladesh Cricket. All these required a fresh start. 
BCB appointed Sri Lankan ex Test Player turned Coach Chandika Haturasinghe as the new head coach, acquired the services of Zimbabwean star pacer Heath Streak as the bowling coach. Other coaching staffs were also changed. Still the misery of the tigers continued in a hurriedly arranged three match ODI series against an under strength Indian team before their England tour. In the rain affected three match series Bangladesh lost miserably 2-0 with the third match being washed out. Bangladesh batted very poorly. But one good thing emerged. Bangladeshi new ball pair ever reliable Mashrafee and his shadow teenager Taskin (sensation) bowled aggressively well.
Preview:
Let Us imagine the playing XI for the first match to be played at St Georges
West Indies : Chris Gayle, Kirk Edwards, Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, Denesh Ramdin, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Sunil Narine, Ravi Rampaul , Kemar Roach
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Mahmudullah, Nasir Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Al-Amin Hossain., Taskin Ahmed,
Bangladesh must try and bat well and if put to bat first or win the toss and bat must try to score at least 250 plus. In absence of star all-rounder Sakib other senior professionals Tamim, Mushfique and Mahmudullah must shoulder additional responsibility. West Indian pace attack of Khemar Roach, Ravi Rampaul should not create huge problem unless Tamim and Anamul try to drive away from their body or poke unnecessarily the deliveries in the corridor of uncertainty. This writer is more concerned about Bravo, Sammy and Sunil Narine creating issues for Bangladeshi batsmen. Bravo and Sammy are deadly accurate and play with batsman’s patience. Narine is very tricky and is perhaps the greatest spinner along with Saeed Ajmal in World Cricket now. He has a very miserly length and line. Bangladeshis must play him with patience. We have considered Imrul Kayes at number three expecting that he can play anchors role while others can bat around him. Star opener who had a long spell of poor form appears to have come out of him. A long innings of Tamim at international stage will bring the fire out of him. Anamul may play his natural game but should also play his strokes with discretion .We think Bangladesh should play with 6 and not 7 specialist batsmen and appear with three pacers in ODI. If six batsmen cannot deliver then additional one can do very little. But with a bowler less Bangladesh will have huge problem in putting the brakes if West Indian batting machine starts in full gear. Steady performance of Mushfique, Mahamudullah and Nasir at four, five and six laying the platform would allow Mashrafee , Sohag Gazi can use long handle bashing in the slog overs.
We have considered Mashrafee and young Taskin to share the new ball. Mashrafee can try a over or two with Gayle nemesis Sohag Gazi but we feel now Mashrafee and Taskin have enough skills to get early break through. We are sure that Heath Streak has injected few of his tricks to them by now how to exploit the gay cavalier approach and attitude of West Indians batsmen. We must remember it is not only Gayle or Pollard who are capable of scaring Bangladesh bowlers. Bravo Brothers, Simmons and Sammy can also cause extensive damage. Bangladesh must field well and take all their catches. West Indians have no half measures. They will either blast opponents or they explode. Nothing can be taken for guaranteed with any West Indian team at any time anywhere.
Having said all these Tiger plans must be carefully optimistic. This West Indies team is capable of toying with the best team of the world cricket and the tigers are just trying to recover for a very poor form. All tiger fans can expect is tigers playing to their potentials with a never say die attitude – an appetite to win.
BDST: 0916 HRS, AUG 20,2014
