When Bangladesh secured a historic series win over Pakistan back in August-September, there were some mathematical calculations on how they could reach the ICC World Test Championship final.聽
But when they begin their last series of the cycle, starting with the Antigua Test against the West Indies today, it will all be a formality as far as the Test Championship final is concerned.
Four straight defeats against India and South Africa have diminished that chance, whatever slim that was.聽
Bangladesh, rather, will eye to end 2024 on a high note. Apart from that series win in Pakistan, they haven鈥檛 had much to celebrate in the longer format as they have lost the remaining six matches so far.聽
The task to bring something joyous will be an uphill one. The condition in the Caribbean will pose some difficult challenges, and Bangladesh will have to cope with the absence of two of their best batters.聽
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim were ruled out of the series with injuries. That dented their batting heavily, as it has been already having some tough outings.聽
There have been only three centuries this year so far for Bangladesh. Only five hundred-run partnerships were made鈥攏one of them came before the sixth wicket, and four of them were at the seventh or lower wicket.聽
So for the umpteenth time in the year, the batting will be the main concern for Bangladesh.聽
In the only two-day warm-up game leading into the series, the middle order showed some resistance, but the top order faltered once again.聽
The absence of Shanto means that Bangladesh might play three openers in Mahmudul Hasan, Zakir Hasan, and Shadman Islam, with two of them opening and one coming at three.聽
Bangladesh鈥檚 batting will heavily rely on the likes of Mominul Haque and Liton Das, who is going to make a comeback after missing the last Test against South Africa due to illness.聽
On the other hand, the bowling has been more or less consistent with an exciting pace-bowling pack. It will be the first time Nahid Rana, the new pace sensation, will have a duke ball in his hand in the Test.聽
But the bowler will hope that their batters give them something on the board to fight with.聽
The Tigers are going to see a new Test captain in Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who will be playing his 50th Test. If everything goes alright, Mehidy will be the 14th man to lead Bangladesh in Tests.聽
To be back at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Bangladesh will have nothing to cherish, as the two previous outings were rather forgettable.聽
In 2018, they had the worst of batting nightmares when they were all out for 43鈥攖heir lowest till date.聽
There are rain forecasts for all five days of the Test, but the weather is not among the main concerns for Bangladesh going into the match.聽
