Bangladesh opt to bat first to avoid series whitewash

Bangladesh captain Liton Das won the toss and elected to bat first in their third and final T20 International against West Indies at Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram on Friday.

The hosts had already lost the series following their 16 and 14 runs defeat respectively in the first two matches.

It was their first series defeat, having won the last four T20 series in a row.

Despite losing the series, the match is important for them as the possibility of an ignominious whitewash loomed. 

Bangladesh made four changes from the previous match in a bid to avoid whitewash as the axe fell on Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Patwari, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Mustafizur Rahman. They were replaced by the likes of Shoriful Islam, Mahedi Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon and Nurul Hasan Sohan.

Liton stressed batting with purpose unlike the last two matches to avoid a series sweep.

"If you put a big total on the scoreboard, as a batting unit, you have to play bigger. Obviously, this is a new opportunity, a new game," Liton told the broadcasters after the match. "We are looking forward to it. The wicket looks slow, 150 will be a good total on this wicket."

West Indies are chasing a series sweep in a bid to take sweet revenge for being whitewashed to Bangladesh at their own den in 2024.

They have rested regular captain Shai Hope, Sherfane Rutherford and Jayden Seales and picked Amir Jangoo, Gudakesh Motie and Ackeem Auguste for the last game on tour.

Roston Chase is leading the side in the place of Shai Hope.

"We have no choice, we would have batted first as well. We got our bowling plans, hopefully we can restrict them and the batters will take it off. Whatever the bowlers give us, we are gonna chase it," stand-in skipper Roston Chase said.

Line Ups:

Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das(w/c), Parvez Hossain Emon, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Jaker Ali Anik, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam

West Indies: Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase(c), Amir Jangoo(w), Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Khary Pierre.