Bangladesh must kick losing habit to save ODI series
WEST Indies sweated for their 1-0 lead on Wednesday but it could prove a crucial advantage in a series likely to be affected by rain.While it is unlikely the hosts will be as slipshod in the second game, Bangladesh are still searching for a performance good enough to bring them a first win in 2014.
For the first hour of West Indies’ chase of 218, Bangladesh were producing that performance. They tied down Chris Gayle, played on Kirk Edwards’ patience and induced poor shots from Lendl Simmons and the brothers Bravo, leaving West Indies on 34 for 5 in 13.1 overs. Bangladesh were a wicket away from the tail but they did not get it for 145 runs. Denesh Ramdin was sensible, Kieron Pollard powerful, and they were dismissed only after they had put West Indies on verge of victory.
There is room for West Indies to improve with the ball too. Sunil Narine, though wicketless, troubled the batsmen but the seamers were loose with their lines and lengths on a pitch that was on the slower side.
Bangladesh have work to do. Their strike-rates at the top need improvement, and they need to find ideas when the match is on edge. They can take encouragement from the restraint Tamim Iqbal and Nasir Hossain showed while trying to build their innings, Anamul Haque’s application during his century, and Al-Amin’s incisiveness.
If Bangladesh don’t get it together today, their winless run in 2014 will cost them another series.
Kieron Pollard was Man-of-the-Match in the first ODI but Denesh Ramdin’s role was as important. He rotated strike when none of the batsmen above him had been willing to do so and enabled Pollard to bat with relatively less pressure. Ramdin was able to find the boundaries too, and his recent dependable form in the lower-middle order is a welcome support for West Indies.
It would be surprising if Mushfiqur Rahim let his batting from the first game affect his innings in the second. He has been Bangladesh’s most prolific scorer this year, and for him to throw it away before getting a proper look-in was unusual.
West Indies (probable): Chris Gayle, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Denesh Ramdin (wkp.), Dwayne Bravo (capt.), Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Jason Holder, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach.
Mominul Haque or Mithun Ali could replace Shamsur Rahman at No. 4, but the decision to bat Shamsur at that position was made from Dhaka. Shamsur will feel he deserves another chance at a role that is not his usual responsibility.
Bangladesh (probable): Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Imrul Kayes, Shamsur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (capt. & wkp.), Nasir Hossain, Mahmudullah, Sohag Gazi, Mashrafe Mortaza, Taskin Ahmed, Al-Amin Hossain.
