West Indies head coach Daren Sammy stated on Friday that they had never seen anything like the wicket at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, where the first of the three-match ODI series is scheduled to be played.
The wicket looked different from the recent wickets in the premier venue as it appeared blackish, with spots of grass.
When asked in the press conference ahead of the first game, the Caribbean captain, Shai Hope, said that he had yet to see the wicket. However, Sammy did and was surprised after seeing the wicket.
鈥榃ell, the captain has not seen the wicket, but I have. I鈥檓 not sure if we could replicate鈥攚e鈥檝e never seen anything like that before,鈥� said the former T20 World Cup-winning captain of the West Indies. 鈥楤ut I think we all know the challenge that the subcontinent brings, especially to our batters.鈥�
The touring party came to Bangladesh just after playing a two-Test series in India. According to Sammy, the players outside of the Test squad also practised in a facility in Chennai.
鈥業t鈥檚 going to be a challenge here at home in Bangladesh from what I鈥檝e seen, but one challenge that I think my team is well prepared for, because most of my batters are coming from India, travelling near Bangladesh,鈥� he said.
Sammy also said that they were keeping an eye on the automatic qualification for the next World Cup, scheduled in 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
The West Indies missed out on the last World Cup after failing to qualify.
鈥榃e鈥檙e on a quest for automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, and that鈥檚 what the team is focusing on: getting those points to give you that automatic qualification,鈥� said Sammy.
He also mentioned that they鈥檇 have to play good cricket to win despite beating them 3-0 at home last December.
鈥楾he last ODI series we played against Bangladesh at home was a successful one. We know they are a team that, you know, always brings that challenge to you at home,鈥� he said.聽
鈥楽o my guys, I鈥檓 pretty sure the captain would agree, we have to come here and play some good cricket in order to win,鈥� he added.
