By Brandon Corlette
The fans and players will be hoping that rain stays away from the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, EBD because the West Indies and Bangladesh will today be locking horns in the third and final T20I from 13:30h Eastern Caribbean time, and Nicholas Pooran and his troops would want to ensure that Bangladesh stay winless in a T20I match on Caribbean soil.
Rain had washed out the first T20I, which was to be played in Dominica, but West Indies rallied to a victory in the second T20I on Sunday last.
Speaking to the media on the eve of the match, Pooran has said the men in maroon will be looking to ‘close out’ the series. “When we come to Guyana, we feel like we are in a good place. Looking forward to the game, hopefully we get good weather,” Pooran has said.
From a team perspective, Pooran has said he has been impressed with some young players putting up their hands for selection for the T20 World Cup later in the year. The former Guyana Amazon Warriors captain has said a series win against Bangladesh would give West Indies confidence in this hot summer of cricket with India and New Zealand, who are set to tour the Caribbean next.
Reflecting on the two matches, Pooran said, he has been impressed with Hayden Walsh Jr, who came up trumps and showed some consistency. Pooran has also been impressed with the returning Obed McCoy. “It was nice to see Hayden’s contribution, Obed coming back into the team and giving us that impression, and we are looking forward to see him have a good summer. With the bat, Brandon King has been impressive, but I do not want to single out anyone, but we are doing well collectively,” he has said.
“T20 cricket is an inconsistent brand of cricket, and it is difficult for guys to perform day in day out, but it is good to see guys contributing,” Pooran has said.
The left-hander has said he is feeling ‘well’ with the bat, and he did his job in the second T20I in Dominica, but he would have wanted to score more runs.
Pooran also shared his sentiments on Keemo Paul, whom he has described as a player with a lot of potential and talent, but one who needs to be managed and monitored. “His skills (are) exceptional, I think he will be a star for us, but we need to manage him,” Pooran explained.
Another son of the soil, Romario Shepherd, has also bowled well in this series, and would want to extend his consistency.
Due to the rain on Wednesday morning, the players had a shortened practice session, whereas, in the afternoon, Bangladesh had a bit more of an extended session.
After a win on Sunday last, West Indies may play an unchanged team, while Bangladesh will be hoping to gain momentum heading into the ODI series. Shakib Al Hassan, who has shown form in the Test series and in both T20Is, will be the key man for Bangladesh.
<West Indies (probable XI):> 1 Kyle Mayers, 2 Brandon King, 3 Shamarh Brooks, 4 Nicholas Pooran (capt & wk), 5 Rovman Powell, 6 Odean Smith, 7 Keemo Paul, 8 Romario Shepherd, 9 Obed McCoy, 10 Akeal Hosein, 11 Hayden Walsh Jnr.
Bangladesh (probable XI): 1 Litton Das, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mahmudullah (capt), 5 Afif Hossain, 6 Nurul Hasan (wk), 7 Mosaddek Hossain, 8 Mahedi Hasan, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman. (GTimes)