The West Indies take on Bangladesh in the second Test of their two-match series at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday, November 30. The hosts won the first Test by a massive margin of 201 runs and will be keen on extending their form in this game as well. Bangladesh have not been in the best of forms, and they will hope they can overturn their fortunes. West Indies know these conditions very well, which will help them select their best playing XI.
Bangladesh are not known for playing well in the seaming and bouncing tracks of the West Indies. They will have to battle out of their skins to ensure that they stand up. The challenges sent their way by the hosts will be manifold, but the Bangla Tigers are known to rise to the occasion and do well. Their wicketkeeper-batter, Litton Das, will be someone who will have to take up the responsibility of being a senior player. Still, the absence of regular skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto due to injury will give them a massive blow.
Veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, too, has been ruled out of this series with an injury. In his absence, Mehidy Hasan Miraz will have to step up and rally the troops. Bangladesh will not want to go home without drawing this series, and other batters, such as Mominul Haque and Zakir Hasan, will have to put their hands up. For the West Indies, skipper Kraigg Brathwaite will have a big role to play at the top of the order and lead his troops with imagination.
Alick Athanaze and Justin Greaves, who played stellar knocks in the first Test, will be other batters to watch out for on the Windies side. One can expect that they will go big this time. These batters have repeatedly shown why they are so highly rated and will be keen on carrying on in the same way. In the bowling department, Shamar Joseph and Kemar Roach will want to break through the Bangladesh batting order and give their team a 2-0 whitewash over their opponents.
Predicted Squads
WI: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales.
BAN: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mominul Haque, Litton Das (wk), Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam.
Key Players
Alick Athanaze (WI): Middle-order batter Alick Athanaze scored 90 and 42 in the first Test against Bangladesh. He will be one of the most dangerous batters to watch out for. Athanaze is a technically solid batter who quickly picks the length of each delivery. He is equally adept at playing well against spin or pace, making him a big danger against Bangladesh. Athanaze’s sense of timing with the bat is also a big positive.
Mominul Haque (BAN): Left-handed batter Mominul Haque, one of the biggest proponents of the sweep shot, has to step up in the absence of skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto in the batting order. Haque knows how to take responsibility and bat confidently, which varies between positive and defensive. His shots are often played with determination, and Bangladesh will need this attitude from him in this Test. He is also known to use his feet well extremely against the spinners.
Match Prediction
The West Indies are expected to win this game against Bangladesh. Thanks to their whopping win in the first Test, they already have a lot of confidence coming into this game and will hope to recreate it here. Bangladesh’s seamers will have to work on their lengths and not get carried away when they see a tad of bounce and carry on these pitches in the Caribbean. Their spinners may not get much support from these pitches. Yet, they will still try their best. Still, on paper and form, the Windies are the favourites, and we expect them to win.
