Tamim’s return gives Bangladesh happy headache

Bangladesh could not have asked for a better buildup to the One Day International (ODI) series, having already swept West Indies 2-0 in the Test series. Bangladesh will be boosted further by the return of Tamim Iqbal from multiple injuries.

He had tuned up for this series with a match-winning 73-ball 107 against the West Indians in the tour game in Savar on Thursday.

Tamim’s comeback gives the hosts a happy headache at the top: who among him, Imrul Kayes, Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das will open the batting on Sunday?

Bangladesh’s strength lies in their experienced middle order, which includes Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah.

Their bowling attack, too, has also done well recently. Offspin-bowling allrounder Mehidy Hasan, who took a match haul of 12 wickets in the second Test in Dhaka, will be supported by the steady pace of Mashrafe Mortza and Mustafizur Rahman.

Bangladesh, though, will have to be wary of batting collapses, which have hurt them of late across formats, and bowling meltdowns in the end overs.

West Indies have out-and-out quicks and power-hitters who could particularly exploit Bangladesh’s shortcomings in these areas.

Twenty-one-year-old tearaway Oshane Thomas hit speeds upwards of 145kph in India and will later be in action for Rangpur Riders in the BPL. Kemar Roach isn’t as quick as Thomas, but offers more control.

Darren Bravo’s return lends much-needed experience to the batting line-up, which blew hot and cold in India. A lot will depend on whether their new ODI captain Rovman Powell and T20I captain Carlos Brathwaite can fire in the slog overs.