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.
