West Indies Bangladesh 3rd T20 International of the current series scheduled to be held at Guyana is a must win game for salvaging some pride. Remember Bangladesh has not won any T20 International match against West Indies on the soil of USA and currently Bangladesh is rated higher than the host.
Bangladesh will play directly in the ensuing ICC T20 world cup 2022 in October November in Australia, while West Indies will have to play winning the qualifying round. The first match of the series was rain ruined with Bangladesh scoring 105/8 in 13 overs. West Indies won the second match by 35 runs. Both the matches were played Dominica. Lots of talks were found in social media about Bangladesh team ferrying to Dominica from Antigua. West Indies team, match officials and commentators travelled in the same ferry. A win of Bangladesh at Guyana will level the series 1-1.
Coming back to the prospect of the match at Guyana new long West Indies having rested a few first choice players appears to be gelling well. Meyers, Pooran, Roveman Powell have required fire power for muscling West Indies beyond the reach of Bangladesh. On the other hand in Shakib, Mahmudullah, Liton and Bijoy Bangladesh has quality batters capable of turning the tide. In match two West Indian pacers delivered much better than Bangladeshis. Taskin looked rusty, Mustafiz and Shoriful could not bowl consistently at right length. Shakib bowling miserly his first three overs, was blasted for 23 runs in his fourth by flamboyant Powell.
We are not sure whether Andre Rassel will play again for WI, we know that Keiron Pollard has retired. Powell batted with ferocity of both. 193 proved 35 runs too many for Bangladesh. Shakib played a wonderful inning. But he too could only collar West Indies attack when overhauling the target was well beyond the reach. In the briefest version of the game batters getting in has to finish the innings. The only player who apart from Shakib could make the difference was young Afif who gifted his wicket trying to play one shot too many. Riad also should have restrained a bit after playing couple of delightful strokes. Bangladesh if they bat first should try and score 180 plus. That will be only possible if either Bijoy or Litton stays longer at the wicket with Shakib or Riad letting Afif and the rest muscling WI attack. Obed McCoy is the bowler Bangladesh must play carefully.
As far as bowling is concerned we are sure Donald must have mentored his pacers which length to bowl to hand eyed coordinated West Indies batsmen. They must not be given room outside off stump or bowled short. Taskin and Mustafiz must vary pace smartly to strangle flamboyant WI batters. Riad should take some out of the box actions. Not bowling Mosaddek after taking one maiden over wicket was a poor judgment. He should also have bowled a over or two when Powell was taking pacers apart.
Beating West Indies is not beyond Bangladesh capability. But winning will not be easy at the same time. Mehedy Miraj should replace one of the pacers . West Indies have a plan in place and so far they have executed clinically.
BDST: 1215 HRS, JUL 7, 2022
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