West Indies was trounced 3-0 by Bangladesh in a one-day series played in the Caribbean in July 2009, however, the figures belie the fact that the home side was fielding a scratch team after a dispute between leading players and the national cricket board.

That series win included Bangladesh's first ever 50-over victory against West Indies but Shakib says it won't have a bearing on what he predicts will be a difficult Group B match, with key players like Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle back in the West Indies side.

“That time the top players were not in the team, and many of them who played were new,” Shakib said.

“This is a very good team ... it will be a very hard team for us and we have to play our best cricket to win this game. This time, this is not going to be easy.” Shakib said that Bangladesh's spin attack would be its main bowling weapon in the game at Mirpur stadium, though he also alluded to the option of pace after Shafiul Islam's four-wicket haul in a 27-run victory over Ireland last week.

“We can bowl up to 40 overs with spin, so that would be our focus,” he said. “But you never know who will take wickets, (or) when.” With victory over the Irish following a defeat to fellow co-host India in the tournament opener, Shakib knows that the race to the knockout stages is very much on for his team.

A win on Friday would also be a clear statement of intent in a seven-team group that also features England, South Africa and Netherlands - and will provide four quarterfinalists.

All-rounder Mahmudullah could return after being replaced by Mohammad Ashraful against Ireland, although Shakib said that no final decision had been made.

“We have to play good cricket and, if we win, it will take us another step forward to the quarterfinals,” Shakib said. “So we are looking forward to the next game.

Everyone is enjoying the practice sessions, no one is injured, that's a very good sign for the team.” However, the stakes are not lost either on West Indies captain Darren Sammy, whose side shrugged off a seven-wicket defeat by South Africa in its opening game to hammer Netherlands by 215 runs.

“This is a very important game because Bangladesh are a very competitive side,” Sammy said. “We will look to execute our plans well.” Though his batsmen rose to the challenge against the Dutch, Sammy was not underestimating the twin threats from the Bangladeshi attack.

“I think every aspect of their bowling unit, whether it's spin or pace, we have to take that seriously,” Sammy said.