Bangladesh eye series sweep in the port city

The ICC ODI Super League has perhaps changed the perception towards bilateral ODI series’.

In every match, a win counts as 10 points, and even a dead rubber like the third and final ODI between hosts Bangladesh and visitors West Indies in Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Monday will surely now have its own value.

Bangladesh have already won the series after winning the first two games at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

They will now hunt for a series sweep, but when it comes to the 10 points, an already beaten and inexperienced Windies will look to start afresh and secure that elusive victory.

Bangladesh hardly faced any competition in the series so far.

The first two wins had come easy after the West Indies batted first in both the matches.

ODI captain Tamim Iqbal bats in the center wicket as Saifuddin looks on BCB

However, ODI captain Tamim Iqbal did not rule out the possibility of the tourists bouncing back in the final game of the series.

Left-handed opening batsman Tamim hinted that changes are likely in the playing XI, with that said, the home side are also eager to grab the 10 points from the game that will add to Bangladesh’s tally towards qualification for the 2023 World Cup.

“Yes we have won the series but there is another 10 points up for grabs. We know that probably the West Indies did not have a great time in the first two games but they are a side not to be taken lightly. They can come back anytime. We might have very few changes but I am sure whoever is coming in, they all are match-winners. They have done well in the past,” said Tamim to the media in the port city Sunday.

“There is a lot of hunger in the dressing room. People want to go out in the field and do well and I hope this will continue. We have got an important game. Yes we have won the series but as I said there are 10 more points that we can add to our tally,” the ODI skipper added.

Bangladesh are likely to come up with at least one change.

Seamer- allrounder Saifuddin is one name being discussed widely to get some action in the last game of the series.

Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman and pace bowling coach Ottis Gibson share a light moment AFP

For the Caribbean side, the challenge would mostly be in the batting front.

The Calypso in the first game produced just 122 runs, and a paltry 148 in the second.

The Caribbean batters have been comfortable against the Bangladesh pacers but crumbled against the spinners in both the games.

The Windies in the first ODI had six debutants in the XI and had come to the second game with one change, in opening batsman Kjorn Ottley, which did not do the trick.

For the third match, Windies head coach Phil Simmons and his coaching team will surely be desperate to avoid the humiliation of a white wash.

Bangladesh have won all of their last seven encounters against the West Indies, and registered a hat-trick of series wins against them Friday.