Bangladesh faces West Indies in 1st Test today

There will be quite a few firsts when Bangladesh take on the West Indies in the first of a two-match Test series, which begins at 8:00pm Bangladesh standard time at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua today.

It will be Shakib Al Hasan's first assignment since being reappointed as Test skipper in place of Mushfiqur Rahim in December last year as he missed out on the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka at home, where Mahmudullah Riyad lead the side, due to an injury earlier this year.

This will also be the first campaign for Steve Rhodes with the Tigers following his appointment as the team's head coach last month. In addition, it will be Bangladesh's first Test series in the Caribbean after four years. During their last visit Bangladesh were beaten comprehensively in both the Tests.

Lastly, the Tigers will don the white uniform after over four months as the preceding Test, against Sri Lanka, was back in February this year. The team's main challenge however, will be to overcome their lackings in the longest format of the game, especially when it comes to playing overseas.

Bangladesh already took part in a two-day warm up game against CWI President's XI after reaching the island nation on June 23. In that encounter, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah struck hundreds and skipper Shakib also had a good outing with the bat.

However, Bangladesh will surely miss the services of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman in the Tests as the left-arm seamer was ruled out of the squad at the last moment due to a toe injury. In his stead, experienced pacer Rubel Hossain will have to lead the pace bowling department alongside Abu Jayed, Shafiul Islam and Kamrul Islam.

All four of the pacers picked up wickets in the warm up game but it will be of paramount importance for the relatively inexperienced Bangladesh fast bowling department to utilise the Caribbean's seaming friendly conditions.

Shakib will have to lead the spin bowling attack with Taijul Islam and Mehedi Hasan Miraz but it is very unlikely for the spinners to get the most out of the bouncy tracks.

However, the responsibility once again falls on the seniors such as Shakib, Muhsfiqur Rahim, Tamim and Mahmudullah to step up and take charge but it will also be crucial for Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Das and the others to contribute as well.

On the other hand, West Indies will look to utilise the home condition to their advantage, just as they had against Sri Lanka in a recently concluded three-match Test series, where fast bowler Shanon Gabriel inspired the side, who showed signs of their previous prowess, with fiery spells of fast bowling.

Despite a relatively inexperienced batting line up, the likes of Kieran Powell, Shane Dowrich, Devon Smith and skipper Jason Holder will hope to inspire the hosts.

Bangladesh have won only two Tests out of 12 against the Caribbean side but those wins came back in 2009 under Shakib, who will now be looking to rewrite his past as Test captain.

Source: thedailystar