Tigers, Windies battle for T20I honours

Bangladesh and the West Indies will battle for the T20I series in the third and final match with the series level at 1-1 after both the teams exhibited dominant cricket in their respective wins.

It has been a difficult tour for the Windies as they lost both the Test matches, that too within three days. 

Their batsmen did not click in the ODI series as well as they lost 2-1. 

The only difference was Shai Hope as he batted superbly but could not do enough to win the series for his side.

But the current T20I champion started the T20I series with a bang as they clinched a comprehensive win with power hitting and good display of fast bowling in the first match in Sylhet.

But the Tigers bounced back brilliantly in the second game, and outplayed the Caribbean side in all departments to level the series.

@BCBtigers T20I captain @Sah75official praised the batting from experienced campaigner @Mahmudullah30, and believes an attacking approach is the right way of batting for the right-arm all-rounder in the shorter formats of the game.https://t.co/8waD3zYvjG#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 20, 2018

The series decider therefore, promises to be a cracking affair.

The West Indies took part in their practice session Friday on the eve of the final match of the series, while Bangladesh took the day off and spent a relaxed day in the team hotel.

Despite losing the second game, the Windies camp believes this format suits them better and they are certainly desperate and hungry to salvage something from their tour of Bangladesh.

“We are very positive to win the third match. We will come back hard and play better cricket. The way Bangladesh came back in the second match, we are aiming to do such a turnaround. We have to believe ourselves, and our ability. Dew factor can be important in the next match. But anyway, we need to play good cricket,” said West Indies bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmed after the second game.

Bangladesh faced a similar situation in Florida earlier this year when they toured the West Indies. 

The Tigers were 1-0 down, and later won the T20I series 2-1. 

West Indies pacer Keemo Paul informed that they will rely on the their pace bowling strength, and their power hitting in the powerplay segment, to clinch the third and final T20I, and the series, against host @BCBtigers Saturday.https://t.co/L8tKEEk4Xg#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS

— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 21, 2018

“We have a good chance to win the series 2-1, like we did this year in Florida. As players, we have played plenty of cricket at SBNS. We know the pitch and conditions very well.  And also, crowd always support us here. These will help us in the next match and hopefully we will perform well and win the series,” said Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan after the second game.    

Bangladesh might opt for the same side as they will try to keep the winning combination intact. 

Shakib was slightly ill prior to the second match but he is highly likely to be fully fit before the third match.  

Winning the toss could be an important factor as dew can affect the game Saturday. 

The match will start at 5pm local time.

Bangladesh        Head to head    West Indies

11            T20Is        11

5            Wins        5

50            Win %        50

1            NR        1

Tamim Iqbal (247)    Most runs    Marlon Samuels (226)

Tamim (88*)        HS        Samuels (85*)

Shakib al Hasan (16)    Most wickets    Keemo Paul (8)

Shakib (5/20)        BBI        Samuel Badree 4/15