West Indies Face BCB XI in Two-Day Warm-Up in Bashundhara, Eyes on Test Series
On tour in Bangladesh, the West Indies have taken the field in a two-day warm-up match to sharpen themselves before the main contest. Their opponents are the BCB XI. In the match that began on Thursday (22 October), both sides are aiming to complete their preparations for the upcoming Test series.
The Bangladesh national team is waiting to return home after a disappointing campaign in the United Arab Emirates. But there is no pause in international cricket; in a packed schedule, Bangladesh now face a West Indies series.
The Caribbean side is already in Bangladesh to play a two-match Test series. Darren Sammy's team landed in Bangladesh on 18 October.
After arriving in Dhaka, the Windies took a day's break and then practised with bat and ball at Mirpur's outer ground. After another day's break, they took the field for the warm-up match on Thursday.
A three-day warm-up match was initially planned, but at the West Indies' special request it was reduced to two days. Both teams therefore have to complete their testing within a limited time.
The match began at 9:30am on Thursday at the Anvir Cricket Stadium in Dhaka's Bashundhara residential area. Although the ground is not a regular venue for the national team, it was chosen for this warm-up match.
The BCB XI is being led by Jaker Ali Anik, who is also the team's wicketkeeper. Under his leadership, the XI has been built around young players and familiar faces from domestic cricket.
Although both captains came out onto the field, there was no formal toss. Through discussion, the visiting West Indies decided to bowl first, so that their bowlers could get an early feel for the conditions.
The BCB XI includes Jisan Alam, Mahfijul Islam, Kalam Siddiki, Iftekhar Hossain, Jaker Ali Anik, SM Meherob Hasan, Chowdhury Mohammad Rizwan, Aich Molla, Shamim Hossain, Abdul Halim, Anik Deb Barman, San and Fahad Hossain.
The West Indies team is led by Roston Chase, with Jomel Warrican as vice-captain. The squad also includes Joshua Bishop, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Shamar Springer and Kevin Wickham.
The first match of the two-Test series will begin on 28 October at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The second and final Test will then start on 5 November in Sylhet.
For cricketers of both teams, the warm-up match is an important chance to test their preparation. In particular, before the Test series begins, the visiting West Indies players will get two days to adapt to Bangladeshi conditions.
