West Indies vs Bangladesh 1st Test: Bangladesh makes their lowest Test total

Bangladesh cricket team made a woeful start on the opening day of the first Test match against West Indies at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The visitors made their lowest Test total ever after getting all out for just 43 runs in 18.4 overs. Their previous lowest total was 62 against Sri Lanka in 2007. However, in terms of balls, it was the second shortest first innings in the 141-year history of Test cricket, followed by Australia’s dismissal for 60 off 18.3 overs by England at Nottingham in 2015. The lowest Test total record is still hold by New Zealand who was restricted to 26 by England in Auckland in 1955. 

West Indies captain Jason Holder won the toss and invited Bangladesh to bat first. Except Liton Das, who scored 25 runs, no other Bangladeshi batsmen could reach the double figure. It looked like their wickets were easier to be picked-up, showing the vulnerability of their players in the greener and bouncier pitch that is totally different from spin friendly pitches found in the Indian sub-continent. West Indian fast-bowler Kemar Roach for the first time claimed a five-wicket haul with an astonishing figure of 5 for 8. He was supported by Miguel Cummins and Jason Holder who claimed 3 and 2 wickets respectively. 
At the end of the first day, the host nation stood at 201-2, boasting a 158-run lead. Brathwaite and Bishoo remained not out on 88 and 1 respectively at stumps. No doubt, they will look to take the lead to what would seem implausible for Bangladesh to surpass once the visitors come on to bat for the second time in the match.

Scorecard-

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18712/scorecard/1146717/west-indies-vs-bangladesh-1st-test-bangladesh-tour-of-west-indies-and-united-states-of-america-2018

Source-

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/match-report/west-indies-bangladesh-first-test-antigua-bowled-out-for-43-roach-highlights/2018-07-05

West Indies announces 13-man Squad against Bangladesh

The two-match Test series between West Indies and Bangladesh will kick off tomorrow (July 4) with the first Test scheduled to be held at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The second and final Test match will start from July 12 at Sabina Park in Jamaica.

This series has given the home side an opportunity to regain their lost position in the Test rankings. You might have known that the Caribbean team lost their number eight position to their Asian rival, Bangladesh, and moved one step down to number nine. So, winning the series, they can move back up to their previous position. 

Jason Holder-led West Indies cricket team will leave no stone unturned to win the series. The host team, unlike their opponent, is likely to get the maximum benefits from the greener and bouncier pace friendly pitches. West Indies fast bowlers, including Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder and Kemar Roach, will be looking to dominate over the opponent batsmen on a fast-bowling friendly wicket.

However, it does not mean that the visitors are not aware of the quality of the playing surfaces. Bangladesh is without their key fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who has not yet fully recovered from toe injury. Rubel Hossain and Abu Jayed, who will have his test debut if selected, are expected to lead Bangladesh’s fast-bowling department. No doubt, keeping in mind the condition of the pitch, both teams will give more priority on using many fast bowlers.

Before the Test series Bangladesh played only a two-day warm-up match against the West Indies President's XI, which ended in a draw.

West Indies squad against Bangladesh: Jason Holder (captain), Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith.

Source-

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/Windies_name_squad_for_Bangladesh_series?profile=1511

Injury rules Mustafizur Rahman out of the Test squad against West Indies

Bangladesh pace spearhead, Mustafizur Rahman, has not completely recovered from injury, thus failing to make his place in the 15-man squad announced for the two-match Test series against West Indies. 

The 22-year-old left-arm fast bowler sustained injury while playing for his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians. His left big toe was badly injured and therefore he missed out on the recently concluded three-match T20 series against Afghanistan.

According to chief selector, Minhajul Abedin, Mustafizur does not have any possibility to be fit before the second Test. For this reason, he was left out of the squad. To replace him, Abu Jayed Chowdhury, who is yet to make his Test debut, was called-up to the Test squad.

Bangladesh tour of West Indies, 2018 will start with Tests, beginning from July 4 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The tour also includes three ODIs and three T20Is.

Source-

http://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/report-mustafizur-rahman-left-out-of-bangladesh-squad-for-west-indies-tour-2626920

Bangladesh Women fails to whitewash Ireland Women

Like many supporters, I was also expecting the Bangladesh women’s cricket team to win the third and final T20 match and whitewash the host nation. But the visitors could not make it happen. Ireland women’s cricket team beat the visitors by six wickets in the last ball of the final T20 of the three-match series. 

Despite scoring the highest T20 total, 151-4, Bangladesh women failed to win the match. Opening duo- Shamima Sultana and Ayasha Rahman- made a good start for their team as they put on 47 runs in seven overs. This partnership was broken in the eighth over as Shamima Sultana was stumped by Mary Waldron for 30. Ayasha Rahman became the second victim. She was run out for 27. After the departure of these two valuable wickets, scoring rate became slow. It was Fargana Hoque who helped the team score a fighting total. She played her career best innings of 47-ball 66, including six fours and two sixes.

However, coming to chase the target of 152, Ireland women won the match with a last ball thriller over the Tigresses. For Ireland, Gaby Lewis top scored with 50 runs from 31 deliveries while skipper Laura Delany struck 46 off 38 balls. Riding on their 93-run third-wicket partnership, the home side coasted to victory. Isobel Joyce’s unbeaten 14-ball 22 helped the Irish-side record their first victory in the series.

Winning the first two matches by four wickets, the tourists sealed the three-match series 2-1.

Bangladesh will tour the Netherlands to play ICC Women's World T20 Qualifiers, beginning from July 5.

Scorecard link-

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/18697/scorecard/1145896/ireland-women-vs-bangladesh-women-3rd-t20i-bdesh-women-ireland-2018

Source-

http://www.newagebd.net/article/44985/bangladesh-women-cricket-team-loses-to-ireland

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44676438

BCB announces 15-man Test squad against West Indies

Bangladesh cricket team is now in West Indies to play a full-fledged series, comprising two Tests, three ODIs and three T20I matches, against the home side. The series will start on July 4 with the first Test match at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Tigers guided by new head coach Steve Rhodes are likely to make a tough competition against the Caribbean team. With this tour series, Steve Rhodes will also make his debut as head coach of a country. 

Of the 15 players, announced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for two Tests, Abu Jayed Chowdhury is the only uncapped player. The 24-year-old pacer has so far played only 3 T20I matches. So, he will eagerly wait to make his debut in the longest format of cricket game. Absence of premier fast bowler, Mustafizur Rahman, who was left out of the Test squad due to toe injury, will help Abu Jayed to get his maiden call-up in the first Test.

Inclusion of Liton Das means reducing the workload of Mushfiqur Rahim, freeing him from wicket-keeping responsibility. As a result, he can put his full focus on batting.

Bangladesh cricket team will be led by Shakib Al Hasan, who made his return to the national team after the end of his short break. The number one all-rounder has not played any Test match since the home series against Australia in September 2017. His appearance will obviously increase the strength of the team.

Bangladesh Test squad: Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Rubel Hossain, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain.