Bangladesh looking to start strongest XI with ODI Super League points in mind
Skipper Tamim Iqbal is keen to end the series on a high with 10 more Super League points and better performance in all three departments of the game
Bangladesh have already clinched the series 2-0 and will face the West Indies in the third and final ODI on Monday. Despite the hosts now have bragging rights over the visitors, the third ODI will not be a dead rubber. The West Indies will look to salvage some pride and gain 10 points in the ODI World Cup Super League.
It will not be an insignificant encounter for Bangladesh either. Skipper Tamim Iqbal is keen to end the series on a high with 10 more Super League points and better performance in all three departments of the game. Bangladesh, despite the target, being a small one, did not bat as well as they would've liked in the first match. The hosts showcased a much-improved performance in the second game. Tamim Iqbal would ideally want up to see the graph going upwards.
Though the visitors couldn't offer much of a resistance, Bangladesh captain is not underestimating them and said that they can bounce back anytime.
While speaking to the media after practice on Sunday, Tamim said, "Yes, we have won the series. But now we have a chance to get 10 more points. They couldn't play well in the previous two matches. But they are a dangerous side and have the ability to bounce back."
Although Tamim earlier hinted at a few changes, Bangladesh will not make more than a couple of changes. "We won't make too many changes. Those who will come can win us matches too. They have proved it in the past. All the guys in the dressing room want to express themselves. I hope that this momentum will sustain. That's why the next match is very important. As I said, we have 10 more points to get."
There is a lot of room for improvement, as per the skipper. "Certainly there are many areas we should improve. You cannot very often play a complete game. We can improve in all three departments. We can do slightly better in fielding and bowling."
Tamim led from the front in both the matches with the bat and reckons that the batters need to convert the starts into big ones. "A lot of us are getting good starts but not converting them. That's one area we need to work on."
Tamim feels that it is extremely important to improve match by match in order to qualify for the next World Cup directly and admits that the next series away from home will be difficult.
The third ODI between Bangladesh and West Indies will begin at 11.30 am on Monday at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.