‘Huge challenge’ for Tigers in Champions Trophy build-up

Bangladesh's focus now shifts to the white-ball series on their current tour of the West Indies, starting with the first of three ODIs in St Kitts on Sunday.

The Tigers will be hoping to carry the momentum from their big win in the second Test in Jamaica that helped them bounce back and draw the two-Test series 1-1, but it will be a tricky task given they face the challenge of finding the right balance amid notable absentees in a series that is considered as a build-up to the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Bangladesh will be aware that they lost four of the last ODI five series, home and away, in their most favoured format, including a 2-1 defeat against Afghanistan in the UAE in November.

Liton Das, who missed the Afghanistan series due to illness, returns for the Windies white-ball series but the fact that several key players are unavailable for the final ODI series ahead of the Champions Trophy will definitely be a headache for head coach Phil Simmons.

"It's actually a huge challenge, a lot bigger than this [Test series]. Quite a few senior players are missing," Simmons told broadcasters after the Jamaica Test.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto [groin], Mushfiqur Rahim [finger], and Towhid Hridoy [groin] will be sitting the series out due to injuries while Mustafizur Rahman will be unavailable due to family reasons. Shakib Al Hasan, meanwhile, is not in the picture since he was unable to return to the country for his final Test last month due to security concerns.

"For me, it would be nice to see some of the other youngsters around and see what else to work with," Simmons added.

The likes of Jaker Ali and Afif Hossain will look to fill up the void in the middle order but the main concern for the Tigers remains the opening slot. Soumya Sarkar got starts in the Afghanistan series but has not been able to make a big score. It would be a big litmus test for him and opening partner Tanzid Hasan Tamim in the pacy bouncy conditions of the Caribbean.

Parvez Hossain Emon, included in the ODI squad, will likely be considered a back-up for the opening position.

The last time Bangladesh played a ODI series in the West Indies, they won 3-0 in the spinning conditions of Guyana. And, it would be yet another chance for Nasum Ahmed to stake his claim, having impressed with bat and ball in the last series against Afghanistan.

Without Mustafizur, Bangladesh still have a strong pace-bowling contingent to test the West Indies on their soil. Tanzim Hasan Sakib returned to the squad after a lay-off due to injury while Hasan Mahmud replaced Mustafizur.

All eyes would be on speedster Nahid Rana, who impressed in the third Afghanistan ODI before he scalped five wickets in the second Windies Test to pave the way for a momentous Test win.

The team management will be well aware of his workload but hope the youngster can leave a mark in the ODIs, with Simmons saying he would like Rana in the T20I squad as well.