With a lot of top-order Bangladesh batsmen being in good form, national team head coach Steve Rhodes believes his side are in good stead ahead of an important home series against the West Indies.
Injured opener Tamim Iqbal has returned to the fold after missing the latter part of Asia Cup, the entirety of the Zimbabwe series, and the Test series against the Windies at home.
The left-hander has returned with a bang as he scored a superb century (107 off 73 balls) in the practice match at BKSP Thursday.
Soumya Sarkar also a scored a brilliant hundred - 103 off 83 balls - and made good use of his chance to claim a spot in the playing XI for the upcoming ODI series.
Steve was present at the BKSP Thursday to observe the practice match closely, along with the chief selector.
Liton enjoying competition among openers https://t.co/PeVQeLL0V5#Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman #Liton Das is under stiff competition to retain his place in the Bangladesh side for the forthcoming #ODI series but he is enjoying the competition with his team-mates.
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 6, 2018
It’s a pleasant dilemma for the selectors and the coach to decide on the best possible opening combination for the upcoming series.
“It was a very important game for several players. Tamim got some game time after coming back from injury. He looked in the best of form, as if he was never away from cricket. It is a big plus for us as he is a very important part of our ODI setup. Soumya was another plus for the team. They also put up a good fight in fading light against a good total from the West Indies,” said Steve to the media after the practice match at BKSP Thursday.
“This was a very good pitch and a fast outfield in BKSP, so the score was always going to be very high. I was so pleased with the way Imrul (Kayes) and Tamim started, and also with the way we carried on from there. It’s a big confidence boost, because the guys got runs,” he added.
“It’s going to be a tough decision for the Bangladesh team management (to pick the openers), but what a wonderful position to be in. We have been desperate for some squad depth and we are now showing that we have quite a few players. Imrul got 349 runs against Zimbabwe and Tamim has come back to form. Liton Das got a 50-odd against West Indies and not too long ago, a hundred in the Asia Cup final. Soumya has got a hundred at No 3 and a hundred [Thursday]. It’s a healthy and a good position to be in,” Steve informed.
The coach believes the ODI series will be a competitive one despite Bangladesh winning the Test series 2-0 comprehensively.
@BCBtigers team management is facing a pleasant dilemma as there are quite a few contenders to stake a claim for the opening slot, alongside @TamimOfficial28, for the forthcoming ODI series against the West Indies.https://t.co/c2QpceZPxI#BCBTIGERS #BCB #TIGERS #WESTINDIES #CWI
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 6, 2018
The West Indies are a better team in shorter formats and he believes the Tigers need to work hard to repeat the results of the Test series
“These three games will be very tough. We have to play some of our best cricket to win. We respect the West Indies. They are hurting from the Test series. We came back strong from the Test series defeat when we were in the West Indies, so they will look to do something similar. We have to be very careful – they are a quality outfit,” Steve concluded.
The first match of the ODI series will be played in Mirpur Sunday.
The second game will be held at the same venue Tuesday while the third and final ODI of the series will be played in Sylhet’s International Cricket Stadium Friday.
