The West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first against a red-hot Bangladesh side in the opening match of the T20I series in Chattogram. The visitors are looking to break a long losing streak, while the hosts aim to capitalize on a massive wave of recent success.
Conditions in Chattogram are described as perfect for cricket, with the pitch appearing browner and firmer than the one used in Mirpur, featuring a healthy bit of visible grass. The cracks on the surface are hard and stable, suggesting the ball will come onto the bat nicely, providing a much better surface for batting. With the average first-innings score in the last eight T20Is here being 148, a score in the range of 160-165 is predicted to be competitive. West Indies’ decision to bat first indicates they do not expect the dew factor to significantly impact the match later on.

Bangladesh, led by the returning regular skipper Litton Das (who missed the last five T20Is), enters the contest on a high. The home team recently completed a 3-0 T20I whitewash of Afghanistan and followed it up with a 2-1 ODI series win against the West Indies. They are currently on a remarkable run, having won consecutive bilateral T20I series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Netherlands.

Bangladesh XI: Litton Das (Capt & wk), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Nurul Hasan, Shamim Hossain, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman.

The West Indies, captained by Shai Hope, desperately need a turnaround after their ODI thrashing against Bangladesh and a painful series defeat to Nepal. The team has lost its last seven bilateral T20I series, dating back to October last year, and will be eager to end that poor run and finish the tour strongly.

West Indies XI: Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope (capt & wk), Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Khary Pierre.