Shakib Al Hasan returned to the team as skipper and expected the team to be in better shape. Even though the team won the last test match against Zimbabwe and drew 1-1, the result would surely have disappointed the management of the team as well as the fans. The mediocrity of the strikes in the 1st test against Zimbabwe shows the weakness to which the particular side is facing the summit. Hasan would know that West Indian bowlers would take on a tougher challenge in the BAN vs. WI Test series and he would like his team to start the two-game series on a winning note and not repeat the horrors of the last series.
The absence of experienced Tamin Iqbal, healing a wound, was obvious, Liton Das and Imrul Kayes having failed to give the team a good start for the opening of the stick. Mominul Haque is in a brilliant form, just like Mushfiqur Rahim, who has always trusted, who scored that superb double cent in the last match. With Mahmudullah and Shakib in the lower middle order, the team should feel confident about their shot. The bowling attack seems strong with Mustafizur Rahman and Khaled Ahmed carrying the new ball. But it will be the spin trios of Taijul Islam and Shakib and Mehidy Hasan, who are seasoned, who should worry the West Indians.
West Indies
The West Indians suffered a blow before the start of the series. Skipper Jason Holder missed the tour after an injury. Replacing skipper Kraigg Brathwaite has a tough job to do, especially after India's disastrous Tour Test series where the team went to the two-match Test series. But the team played well in the ODI and their long tour of the subcontinent would have allowed the players to get a good idea of the conditions. Brathwaite hoped that his drummers would shoot in the coming match and they did not fall like a card game as they did during the tour in India.
Brathwaite has to put a price on his counter at the top of the list. His opening partner, Kieran Powell, has done well against Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in Bangladesh. Shai Hope, # 3, also performed well in this game and he should play the anchor role in the game. Sunil Ambris, Roston Chase and the young sensation Shimron Hetmyer must make a habit of capitalizing on their debut. It would be a character test for them in this series. On the bowling front, the return of Kemar Roach in the test team strengthens his bowling. He, Shannon Gabriel and Keemo Paul will have to make early breakthroughs. Much would depend on Devendra Bishoo and Jomel Warrican to use these conditions and be a victory for the team. checkout West Indies Vs Bangladesh Today Match Prediction
Our prediction for the first test match between Bangladesh and the West Indies
Bangladesh to win first test match
The West Indies made a horrible tour in India, especially during the test matches. For its part, Bangladesh is not at its best if its performance against Zimbabweans in the recently completed test series has something to do. In this context, during the first test match between the two teams at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium, Chittagong becomes a competition between two teams equal on paper. With only two games left in the series, both sides would be eager to win the first test match and take an unassailable lead in the series. It would be a temperament test for drummers on both sides who showed the habit of collapsing under pressure.
There is not much to choose between the two sides in their present form. But Bangladesh, because of its knowledge of the conditions and a better spinning bowling attack, seems to be at the forefront of the game at the moment.
