Windies need to bounce back to keep series alive

Overview
Windies v Bangladesh
Providence Stadium, Guyana
2nd ODI
Wednesday 25 July, 14:30 local; 18:30 GMT

A change of format brought about a change of fortunes for Bangladesh. They struggled to put up a fight against the Jason Holder-led side in the two Tests, and lost the series 2-0. However, Bangladesh seemed to have hit their stride with a dominant performance in the first ODI. They outplayed the Windies with both bat and ball, with their veterans doing most of the good work.

Tamim Iqbal's unbeaten century from the top of the innings, along with Shakib Al Hasan's 97 and an 11-ball 30 from Mushfiqur Rahim helped Bangladesh put up a competitive total, which the home side failed to chase down, courtesy captain Mashrafe Mortaza's four-wicket haul.

Bangladesh will once again rely on the experience of their senior players to try and repeat the same show at the same venue in Providence.

Pressure will be on the Windies. After losing the opener, the second ODI will be their chance to keep themselves alive in the three-match series and they will want to make quick amends heading into the Wednesday, 25 July encounter.

On a pitch where Bangladesh's pacers made merry, for the Windies, it was the exact opposite. Their two best bowling performances were from the spinners – Devendra Bishoo finishing with 2/52 and Ashley Nurse with his economical 0/39. They just couldn't find a way past Iqbal and Shakib, as the two added 207 for the second wicket, albeit at a less-than-ideal rate.

A better show from the pace unit, which comprises Alzarri Joseph and Keemo Paul, along with all-rounders Andre Russell and Holder, can is needed from the Windies point of view.

In the batting department, Shimron Hetmyer continued his fine form with a steady half-century, while Chris Gayle made an unhurried 40. Six of the other Windies batsmen got off to decent starts but couldn't capitalise on them, including the likes of Evin Lewis, Holder and Russell, who all fell under 20.

One positive outcome from the Windies innings was Joseph, the No.11's unbeaten knock of 29 off 21 showed a willingness to fight and take the match deep.

Key players

Shimron Hetmyer (Windies): The top-scorer of the previous match from the Windies camp, Hetmyer, who has played just 10 ODIs, will play a key role for his side. With hard-hitters like Gayle and Lewis at the top and Russell after him, Hetmyer provides solidity to the middle order. He scored 52 from 78, his first ODI fifty, and the Windies will want him to convert such scores into bigger ones.

Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh): A solid 130* off 160 deliveries from Iqbal was the highlight of Bangladesh's innings. He is someone who likes batting long and big, and the Windies bowlers will want to send him packing early.

Conditions

The Providence pitch will once again have something for the bowlers, but batsmen are likely to score big if they can settle in. The weather might not be ideal come match time, and there could be a few interruptions.

Squads

Windies: Jason Holder (c), Devendra Bishoo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell

Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Tamim Iqbal, Nazmul Haque, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Nazmul Hossain, Abu Hider, Abu Javed, Mehidy Hasan, Nazmul Islam