A pace attack as fast and intense as the waves of the Caribbean Sea is reminiscent of the golden era of the West Indies. Although the West Indies have left behind the golden time, it is still quite challenging for the Bangladesh team to handle their pace attack. Caribbean pace attack ready to 'welcome' Bangladesh to Antigua's Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Bangladesh is not supposed to forget about that horrible Test in Antigua in 2018. Bangladesh were promptly crushed in the first innings by the Windies pace attack of Kemar Roach, Jason Holder and Miguel Cummins, all out for 43 runs. Only one batsman from the team (Liton Das, 25) managed to reach double figures. Four batters returned for zero runs that day. Bangladesh also played a Test in Antigua in 2022. Roach shook Bangladesh in service. When Bangladesh could not handle the roaches in the presence of Shakib-Tamim-Mushfiq, what is waiting for them will be known from the day after tomorrow from the Antigua Test.
However, the Bangladesh team saw some promising performances in the two-day warm-up match at the Coolidge Ground in Antigua. Zaker Ali Anik and Mahidul Islam proved their mettle in drawing lower middle order. He made a pair of 81 runs for the sixth wicket. Zaker Ali, who scored 48 runs in the warm-up match, said in a video message sent by BCB, 'The conditions here are new for us. My plan was to know how the wicket was behaving. When we understood, we started playing accordingly. The wicket was slow. We have made a good pair. I played with a plan. Here you have to play according to the situation, there is more swing.'
The top-order batsmen have to do that first, as Jake has tried to understand the situation. Ahead of the first Test of the series, batting concerns remain, especially in the top order. Bangladesh lost 4 wickets to score 101 runs in this match. And the wicket of the warm-up match and the wicket of the Antigua Test will be completely different, it can be said with an oath. The Moominuls must not be unaware of the way in which Roach created an angle on the speedy bouncy wicket of the Sir Viv Richards Stadium and left the batsmen breathless.
Although there were concerns about the batsmen, the bowlers, however, acquitted themselves well. They stopped the West Indies XI for 87 runs last day. Young spinner Hasan Murad scored a hat-trick. Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana and Shariful Islam have also done well. It was their turn to shine on the pace-assisted wicket of Antigua.
Before this tour Bangladesh has played 6 matches in Antigua in three editions, they have experienced defeat in each one. Bangladesh lost last June against India and Australia in T20 World Cup here. This is where Taskin sleeps before the match against India! Bangladesh does not have many happy memories in Antigua. What memories will they return with?
Mohammad Salahuddin returned to BCB as a senior assistant coach after a long time. He started working in the Bangladesh team 15 years ago from the West Indies. Although the team is relatively young this time, he is quite optimistic. Two days ago, Salahuddin said, 'This year's team is much more confident and the young cricketers are ready to prove themselves. I strongly believe they will give their best.'
