Can Bangladesh catch a breather in a familiar format?

The theme is quite familiar. Bangladesh on overseas tours for a while have been looking up to the ODI format to come back home with something to show for. And this time in the Caribbean, it's no different. Blanked in the Tests and T20Is, Bangladesh are now hoping to find solace in the three-match ODI series. Skipper Tamim Iqbal has publicly acknowledged that his side are indeed most comfortable in 50-over cricket. How long can Bangladesh sustain this is a question for the future. For now, they will have to get the job done in the next three games to salvage some pride.

For starters, they will have to pull through without the services of their talismanic allrounder Shakib Al Hasan. But for a side that has won five out of their last six ODI series, they will back themselves to beat their opposition, who on the other hand have won only one out of their last five series in this format. Keeping in mind that victory for the West Indies came against Netherlands and Bangladesh's most recent win was in South Africa, the visitors have more reasons to believe in themselves despite the one-sided results so far on the tour.

Apart from Shakib, Bangladesh will also miss the services of Mushfiqur Rahim and the series gives them an opportunity to assess the batting lineup without the two stars. Their absence puts the onus on skipper Tamim Iqbal to step up as he returns after continuing to stay clear of T20Is. On the bowling front, the series presents a huge opportunity for Mustafizur Rahman to