Bangladesh v West Indies Test series: TV channels, schedule, team news - All you need to know

The Cricketer provides all the information you need ahead of the two-match Test series between Bangladesh and West Indies

What is it?

A two-match Test series between Bangladesh and West Indies. The matches form part of the 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship with 120 points on offer across the series.

What’s the schedule?

First Test: Zohur Ahmed Chowdury Stadium, Chattogram (Wednesday, February 3 – 3:30am GMT, 9:30am local time)

Second Test: Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (Thursday, February 11 – 3:30am GMT, 9:30am local time)

What are Bangladesh’s chances?

Bangladesh head into two-match series in high spirits after sweeping West Indies 3-0 in their ODI series. However, despite, emerging victorious when these sides last met in the Test arena (a 2-0 whitewash in November 2018), Bangladesh have a poor head to head against West Indies. Their Caribbean neighbours have emerged victorious in six of their eight Test series, including winning three out of four in Bangladesh.

Furthermore, Bangladesh have won just three Test series in the last decade (drawing nine and losing 17) and have poor records in both Chattogram (two wins from 19) and Dhaka (six wins in 20). Having not played a red-ball fixture since February 2020 (a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe), it could be tricky for Bangladesh to complete another whitewash over West Indies.

However, the return of Shakib Al Hasan from suspension is a huge boost for Mominul Haque’s side. The 33-year old all-rounder, who last played a Test in September 2019, averages 39.4 with the bat and has taken 210 wickets in 56 red-ball appearances for Bangladesh.

^{Shakib Al Hasan bowling for Bangladesh during the second ODI in Dhaka on January 22}

Bangladesh preliminary squad: Mominul Haque Showrab (c), Taskin Ahmed, Tamim Iqbal Khan, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mustafizur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Md Mithun, Taijul Islam, Liton Kumer Das, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Shadman Islam, Mohammed Saif Hasan, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed Chowdhury Rahi, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury

How about West Indies?

As mentioned, West Indies have a decent record in Bangladesh and under normal circumstances, would back themselves to continue their good form.

However, as with the ODI series, West Indies are missing numerous key names from their travelling party. Five members of the squad who played England last summer – Jason Holder (captain), Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Shai Hope and Shane Dowrich (wk) – made themselves unavailable for the tour while Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran also opted out of travelling to Bangladesh.

Captaining the side in Holder’s absence, Kraigg Brathwaite is one of only four players (Jermaine Blackwood, Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach) to have more than 20 Test appearances while Nkrumah Bonner, Kavem Hodge, Kyle Mayers and Shayne Moseley are uncapped at senior level.

It will be a tough ask for this inexperienced squad to come away from the subcontinent with a series win. However, Bangladesh’s own struggles in the red-ball game, combined with the pace attack of Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and Roach, should give them hope.

^{Jermaine Blackwood (L), Shannon Gabriel (C) and Kraigg Brathwaite (R) are three of the four players to have played more than 20 Tests for West Indies}

West Indies squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jermaine Blackwood (vc), Nkrumah Bonner, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Kavem Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Shayne Moseley, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Raymon Reifer, Jomel Warrican

What’s the weather looking like?

The players can expect a dry pitch in Chattogram with little or no rain forecast before February 3. For the duration of the Test, conditions are set to be dry with temperatures hovering between 19^oC and 28^oC. Similar conditions are forecast for Dhaka heading into the second Test on February 11.

How can I follow it?

Ban Tech hold the rights to both Test matches in Bangladesh, with the series likely to follow the ODI coverage by being streamed on T Sports.

Viewers in the Caribbean can catch all the action on Flow Sports.

In the UK, viewers can stream both Tests on the Sports Flick app while Willow TV have the rights in the United States.

There is currently no confirmed broadcaster in Australia or India, but fans in the latter may be able to find coverage on the FanCode app.