Mahidul Islam Ankon is making his ODI debut for Bangladesh. He is the 154th ODI cricketer to represent the Tigers.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh Captain) during toss said: "We love batting first, as we are playing at home, and feel confident on this surface. We have consistent discussions about top-order batting, but this is a new game, and everyone must understand their role. Bad performances are a part of the game, and everyone should do better. We have 2 pacers, 3 spinners, and 7 batters."
Bangladesh would come into the game after being swept by Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series recently.
While they lost all three matches, without minimum resistance, what was most disrespectful for them was that they were not able to play full 50 overs in any match and was also bowled out in less than 30 overs in the last two matches.
If that is worrying sign, then another shameful stat is that: Bangladesh has now lost their last four ODI series including the Afghanistan series, dating back to November last year.
Since then, they have won two out of 14 matches in a format that was long dubbed as their strongest suit.
However, amid the dismal stat, what can give them some relief is that all of those four series defeats came at overseas ground and last time when they play an ODI series at home in March, 2024, they won the series by 2-1 against Sri Lanka.
There is another stat to cherish, Bangladesh also whitewashed West Indies in three-match ODI series when the Caribbean side tour here for the last time in 2021.
Bangladesh Playing XI: Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (c), Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahidul Islam Ankon (wk), Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanvir Islam
West Indies Playing XI: Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Shai Hope (c and wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Khary Pierre, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales
