Fresh off their victory in the second Test against the West Indies, which helped them draw the two-match series, Bangladesh are eager to continue their winning ways as they kick off the ODI series on Sunday in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The match begins at 7:30 pm Sunday (Bangladesh time).
Bangladesh currently occupies the ninth spot in the ICC's ODI team rankings, while the West Indies sit just below them at tenth. However, these statistics don't fully reflect the difference between the two teams in ODIs.
In their last five bilateral series, Bangladesh has emerged victorious in the last four, with the West Indies' last win dating back to 2014. Bangladesh also clinched ODI series wins in their last two away tours to the West Indies in 2022 and 2018.
Considering this history, coupled with their recent Test series triumph, Bangladesh will be brimming with confidence as they take on the hosts.
Bangladesh will be without the services of Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan. Mushfiqur is sidelined due to injury, while Shakib remains unavailable in the face of the public backlash due to his association with the Sheikh Hasina government, which was recently ousted by a popular uprising.
However, the ODI squad is bolstered by the return of Soumya Sarkar, Afif Hossain, and Mahedi Hasan – all of whom recently competed in the Global Super League T20 in the West Indies for the Rangpur Riders, the inaugural champions.
Soumya's impressive performance in the GSL final, where he carried his bat for an unbeaten 86 with five sixes, has undoubtedly boosted his confidence, which could translate into strong performances in the ODI series.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz will captain the team in the absence of regular skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, who is also out due to injury.
While the first ODI is on Sunday, the remaining matches will be played on December 10 and 12. After that, both the teams will compete in a three-match T20I series.
Bangladesh ODI squad: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Litton Das (wicketkeeper), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Soumya Sarkar, Parvez Hossain Emon, Md Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana
West Indies ODI squad: Shai Hope (captain/wicketkeeper), Brandon King (vice-captain), Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Shimron Hetmyer, Amir Jangoo (wicketkeeper), Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Marquino Mindley, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd.
