Will Bangladesh Win Today?

As Bangladesh is determined to transfer their Twenty20 success to ODI series, West Indies pumped them up to recollect the memory of last ODI encounter between the two sides when they forced the hosts to hit new low. Bangladesh were wrapped up for 58 during the ICC World Cup Cricket in Dhaka  which was their lowest ever total in ODI, a thing that still haunted Bangladeshi players. West Indies however looked to capitalise on it but Bangladesh eyed to bury the ghost banking on the success of Twenty20 ahead of the first ODI which will be held at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Bangladesh could also take inspiration from the last bilateral series where they whitewashed the same opponents in both Test and ODI series. Though the side was depleted one, most of the players of that series will again face off Bangladesh.
However Bangladesh did not look back long as they got the mental boost up by winning the one-off Twenty20 and also broke the jinx of 12-match losing streak in this format.
“It's a plus point to start the series with a win before going into ODI and Test series. I think we'll have the mental advantage,” Razzak told the reporters ahead of the first of three-match ODI series.
“Any win is equally important irrespective of the format. The win definitely could boost any team and give an encouragement,” added the left arm spinner who played a key role in Bangladesh's three-wicket win on Tuesday.
“58-run is something that we could never forgot because people always reminded us that. In contrast we forgot our winning memory so easily. I think people should remind us about our winning,” he stated.
West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard, a well recognised hard-hitter batsman of the world while pointing out that match that they would have slight 'Psychological Advantage' ahead of the first ODI.
“Obviously there is a slight psychological advantage for us,” he told the reporters.
“But it was in the World Cup and in that pressure anything can happen. It's a new tournament and a new series and it's eleven against eleven. Hopefully we see how it progresses. Once we do the basic right we have a good enough team to beat Bangladesh.”
Taking the series as challenging, the man from Trinidad remarked, “It's a new challenge in Bangladesh and I gave myself an opportunity. Hopefully we can go their and give a good account of ourselves. Bangladesh played well in the last Twenty20 games but it can go either way and that you have seen in the Champions League. 50-over games are the test of character of each team.”
Both teams have so far locked horn 17 times with Bangladesh winning just three in contrast of losing 12 matches while two matches were abandoned. The three wins came up in the memorable whitewash mission in 2009.
The day and night match will start at 1.30 pm. BTV and NEO Sports will telecast the match live.

Match will be available online on www.intercric.info 

Team Overview:

Bangladesh are unlikely to alter their combination, though Shuvagoto Hom could push Alok Kapali out of the XI. Mahmudullah's continued absence should give Nasir Hossain another chance to come good.

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mohammad Ashraful, 5 Alok Kapali, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 7 Naeem Islam, 8 Nasir Hossain, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Shafiul Islam, 11 Rubel Hossain

Pollard should come in for Danza Hyatt in the West Indies middle order, while Bishoo could slot in for Carlos Brathwaite. Given the frailty of the batting line-up against spin, Kieran Powell might feature in team discussions as well.

West Indies (probable): 1 Adrian Barath, 2 Lendl Simmons, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 7 Andre Russell, 8 Darren Sammy (capt), 9 Ravi Rampaul, 10 Devendra Bishoo, 11 Anthony Martin / Kemar Roach

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