All to play for as Bangladesh, Windies aim for the series
DHAKA (92 News) - With the three-match series tied 1-1, both Bangladesh and the Windies will have everything to play for in the final one-day international in Sylhet on Friday, 14 December.
Bangladesh restricted the Windies to 195/9 in the first game and romped home by five wickets but the visitors fought back in the second ODI, thanks to a magnificent 146* from Shai Hope, to chase Bangladesh's 255 with two balls to spare.
It's all even-stevens at the moment, but Bangladesh hold the upper hand going into the final purely based on the form of their players. For the Windies, Hope has been the lone scorer in both games.
Bolstered by the return of Tamim Iqbal, who got into the groove with 12 and 50 in the first two games, and their experienced batsmen contributing consistently – Mushfiqur Rahim (55*, 62), Mahmudullah (14*, 30) and Shakib Al Hasan (30, 65) – Bangladesh have put up decent batting shows.
By comparison, no Windies batsman apart from Hope has scored a fifty yet, and that's something that may count against them in the last ODI. That said, they too have the capacity in the middle order to put runs on the board – all of Marlon Samuels, Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer got starts in this series but haven't yet converted them to big scores.
With the ball, Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh captain, has led from the front with four wickets and has found good support from Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehidy Hasan, all of whom have been economical too.
For the Windies, it has been less pleasant, with most of their bowlers proving expensive. Only Oshane Thomas has shined – he returned 3/54 in the second ODI – and he could use some support from the likes of Devendra Bishoo, Keemo Paul, and Kemar Roach in the final ODI.
Key Players
Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh): The 'keeper-batsman has scored consecutive half-centuries in the series and has emerged as the pillar of the Bangladesh middle-order. With the ability to bat for long periods and accelerate towards the death, Rahim can play both roles – sheet anchor as well as the aggressor – and it will be imperative for the Windies to get his wicket early.
Shai Hope (Windies): Hope showed in the last match he has the ability to single-handedly win a match for his team. His presence at the top of the order gives the visitors a chance to attack from the other end, as Hope likes to take his time to settle in. Once in, however, he has the ability to score boundaries at will, and that is something Bangladesh must be wary of.
Conditons
This game will be the first ODI to be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The venue hosted its first Test last month when Bangladesh and Zimbabwe squared off for a Test. Temperatures are relatively cool this time of year – a maximum of 29°C is forecast, although it could drop as low as 17°C as the match progresses.
Squads
Bangladesh: Masrafe Mortaza (c), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nazmul Islam Apu, Mohammad Mithun, Saif Uddin, Abu Hider Rony, Ariful Hoque
Windies: Rovman Powell (c), Marlon Samuels, Devendra Bishoo, Roston Chase, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope, Carlos Brathwaite, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Fabian Allen, Kemar Roach, Sunil Ambris, Oshane Thomas
