Changes in the offing
After clinching the three-match ODI series against the West Indies with a game in hand in Dhaka, both Bangladesh and the visitors arrived in Chattogram with the intention of testing their depth in the third and final match of the series, scheduled for tomorrow.
ODI skipper Tamim hinted that they were planning to tinker with the playing eleven for the third match, with players like all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin, left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, pacer Taskin Ahmed, off-spinning all-rounder Mahedi Hasan and young left-arm seamer Shoriful Islam fighting to get a shot in the third game.
"Players like Taskin and Saifuddin were not in the playing eleven in the first two games but there is a competitiveness in the team. Everyone should get an opportunity to play because those who didn't play have all the ability to do well. I am sure that we are going to make a few changes for the third ODI. Whoever gets a chance, I hope they play well," Tamim said after the second game on Friday.
Bangladesh were clinical with the ball in the first two games on the back of strong performances from spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehedi Hasan Miraz and bundled the West Indies out for 122 and 148 respectively.
However, pacers are also making an impact. Left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman looked in fine rhythm and picked up a two of wickets each in the ODIs and the team management will surely be relieved to see Fizz gaining momentum and managing to take the ball into the right-handers after a long time.
Young pacer Hasan Mahmud, who picked up three wickets on his debut in the first game, also impressed with the pace and carry that he was able to generate. But head coach Russell Domingo would probably want his batters to step on the gas, especially Liton Das, who missed out in both the ODIs despite getting the starts.
Another young batsman Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who was given a new role at number three, also failed to grab the opportunity and was dismissed in soft fashion in the two matches. The team management will really want to see the youngsters gain confidence against a rather weak West Indies side, who will be desperate to put a better show in the final ODI.
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