DHAKA, Nov 21, 2024 (BSS)- Bangladesh seeks an improved performance to fight neck with neck against West Indies when they take on the Caribbean side at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua tomorrow (Friday). 
 
The match starts at 8 PM (Bangladesh Time).

Bangladesh will go into the series with four straight defeats in Test matches with the last two coming against an inexperienced South African side at home and an ODI series defeat to Afghanistan.

But they won a historical series in Pakistan before the start of their horrible run.

The Tigers dominated the two-day warm up game against West Indies Select XI with left-arm spinner Murad Hasan claiming a hat trick. The match that was hosted by Antigua's Coolidge Cricket Ground eventually ended in a draw.

Also Bangladesh batters scored some runs to boost the confidence. However, the ground which will host the first Test had given Bangladesh a nightmare in the past.

Bangladesh were skittled out for just 43, their lowest total in Antigua's Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and eventually tasted an innings and 244-run defeat.
 
In their tour in 2022, they also lost a Test here by seven wickets.

Bangladesh, overall played 20 Test matches against West Indies and won just four. They lost 14 and drew two matches. 

The Tigers however will be without key players like Shakib Al Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Mushfiqur Rahim, which made them a relatively inexperienced side for the series.
 
Shakib was supposed to play his last Test against South Africa at home but due to fear of public backlash for his political involvement with the Awami League Government, which was ousted amid a mass uprising, he was unavailable. His Test career seemed to have ended. 

Shanto, the regular skipper of Bangladesh and Mushfiqur are sidelined with injuries. 

Hasan Murad, a left-arm spinner like Shakib may get a Test debut which looked imminent after his standout performance in the practice game. 

Hasan Murad played 31 First-class matches and bagged 139 wickets with 12 five-fors.

The selectors have called up Shahadat Hossain Dipu, who played 33 First-class matches and scored 1752 runs with three centuries to replace Shanto.

All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz, will lead the side in absence of Shanto. 
Led by Kraigg Brathwaite, the West Indies squad features an exciting mix of seasoned, in-form players and fresh talent.

But former skipper Jason Holder will be missing the series as he continues rehabilitation for a shoulder injury.

The second match starts on November 30 in Jamaica.

The two Tests will be followed by three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals.

Bangladesh Squad: Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Litton Das (WK), Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad.

West Indies Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Joshua Da Silva (Vice-Captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Kevin Sinclair, Jomel Warrican