Bangladesh’s historic win is second to none and has invariably raised their morale and confidence to make their mark. They are a highly competitive team that challenged tournament heavyweights like South Africa with all their might and ruffled the feathers of their batters. The bowling unit grew from strength to strength for the Bangladeshi side. Windies are reeling under pressure with back to back losses. Their net run rate also has taken a beating because of this. But it is a team that they could make comeback from any situation and has the courage to go the distance to make the win a possibility.
There are enormous strides of development in this Bangladesh setup as compared to their performances in the 2020 T20 world cup. They are exhibiting their skills, their application at crucial intervals and also grasping crucial techniques required for longer sustenance in the game. Though this squad has less exposure to ODI’s, they have the potential to hold the nerve and defend totals. The batting is one of the biggest positives as the top order batters like Shamima Sultana, Sharmin Akhter, Fargana Hoque is doing a fabulous job in giving the team the starts at a rapid pace. The spinners have been the core of their relentless pursuit to win matches.
The spinners have been giving their level best, this paid dividends when South Africa was toppled by a competent spin attack. The opening match for Bangladesh visibly showed their capacity and the depth they possess. Though they lost two matches against the Proteas and New Zealand they will take this as a stepping stone to seal the gaps needed to get to the winning ways. That way they achieved a historical victory over Pakistan in its maiden debut in the 50-over world cup. This was its first win in the ODI world cup. This triumph will give them the encouragement to seal the opportunities from now on.
West Indies had a mixed tournament so far, one side where they were at the dominant best, on the flip side they struggled to even perform ordinarily. In matches against Australia, the Windies batters lacked the intent to face the bowlers. They crumbled under pressure and the bowlers had too little to defend despite their early breakthroughs that couldn’t save the matches. The batting unit has to work as a team and have better clarity in their roles and have alternative plans to counter any pressure situations.
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The middle and lower order batters are vulnerable and unsettled. They have to step up and provide the balance required to stabilise the innings, this is a feature that every team in the tournament is ready to capitalise on. The bowlers have been consistent with the lines and early breakthroughs and in death overs except for the match against India.
Windies will have to regroup and stabilise their batting setup as their heavy reliance on their top 3 players (Stafanie Taylor, Hayley Mathews and Deandra Dottin) won’t work anymore and needs all the other players to step up. Bangladesh also has an unstable middle order, which is also an area to work on.
Bangladesh will come to all guns blazing against the Windies and will leave no stone unturned to reach the pinnacle of the game. It’s time for the Windies to get back to their celebrated winning ways to stay alive in the tournament.
Probable Playing XI:
BANGLADESH: Shamima Sultana (WK), Fargana Hoque,Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana (C), Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Salma Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Nahida Akter, Fariha Trisna
WEST INDIES: Stafanie Taylor(C), Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle(WK), Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Anisa Mohammed, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Kycia Knight, Shakera Selman.
