DHAKA, Oct 17, 2025 (BSS)-West Indies head coach Darren Sammy refused to take 
Bangladesh lightly in the upcoming three-match ODI series, despite the hosts' 
recent struggle in this format.

Bangladesh lost four ODI series in a row after being swept against 
Afghanistan and won just two matches out of 14 since November last year. 
Under the captaincy of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Bangladesh won just one match in 
10.

That stat itself was the testament of how Bangladesh struggled in a format, 
once dubbed as their strongest suit.

But Sammy believes the home condition would get Bangladesh an extra edge and 
so they would have to play exceptional cricket to win the series.

"They're playing at home. They know these conditions far better than we do. 
As I and my captain both agree, Bangladesh are very strong at home. To beat 
them, we'll have to play exceptional cricket," Sammy said here today.

West Indies had last toured in Bangladesh for an ODI series in 2021 and 
tasted a humiliating 3-0 whitewash. 

"We know they're always a tough side in their own conditions. To win here, we 
must play top-quality cricket" said Sammy, adding that the series is crucial 
for them also to earn some important points for a direct qualification to the 
next ICC Cricket World Cup, jointly to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and 
Namibia in 2027.

"We're on a mission to qualify directly for the 2027 World Cup. That's where 
our focus is. If we can collect the necessary points, we'll be in a strong 
position."

But Sammy's concern was Bangladesh's wicket, which he termed as 'never seen 
like this before', indicating it might be a rank turner that could give West 
Indies batters a torrid period.

"Well, the captain has not seen the wicket, but I have. I'm not sure if we 
could replicate - we've never seen anything like that before," she pointed 
out. 

But Sammy has the experience of playing in Bangladesh. He toured here with 
West Indies side as player and captain for several times and also played in 
Bangladesh Premier League (BPLT20) on regular basis.

He knows well about Bangladesh condition. At the same time, he mentioned that 
the tour in India ahead of Bangladesh series will provide them some 
opportunity to get used to that kind of wicket. 

"But I think we all know the challenge that the sub-continent brings, 
especially to our batters. I think coming from India is something that is of 
advantage for the guys who have, you know, gotten used to such or the closest 
conditions you'll get," he said. 

"But at the end of the day, like the captain said, it's the experience, the 
knowledge, the application of oneself at the crease, and understanding what 
is required-assessing the conditions very quickly."

Some of the guys it's probably foreign to them, but the learning would have 
to be done whilst you play, he said.

"So you assess the conditions and then you decide what is required in order 
for you to be successful. And like I said earlier, it's going to be a 
challenge here at home in Bangladesh from what I've seen, but one challenge 
that I think my team is much prepared for, because most of my batters are 
coming from India, traveling near to Bangladesh," he said.