West Indies and Bangladesh will have their eyes firmly trained on quarterfinal berths when the two sides meet in a must-win group B match of the ICC Cricket World Cup on Friday.
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MATCH PREVIEW
West Indies team manager Richie Richardson is full of optimism ahead of his team`s clash with Bangladesh in Mirpur, despite being below the co-hosts in the official International Cricket Council`s one-day rankings.
An era of struggle has seen the Windies` stock fall to such an extent that they are not considered automatic favourites to beat Bangladesh.
But Richardson is not thinking about that and, in fact, the former West Indies captain is demanding success in the competition on the whole.
"To win every single match, that's my target. To win the ICC Cricket World Cup," he said.
"I am very confident that we can win this ICC CWC. I am very positive. We are playing positive cricket, the guys are improving every day, and I am feeling very, very confident."
Richardson, who also represented Yorkshire during his career, was defiant that his players do not fear anyone.
He added: "We are ready to tackle any opposition, any spin attack, any pace attack, any team. We are prepared to take them on. We are positive and intend to go out there and play positive cricket.
"It's always difficult playing against a home team on their turf. Obviously they know the conditions really well, and they have the home support - we have beaten people all over the world, so we are not worried about that."
The West Indies have a win and a defeat to their name after their opening two matches, the same record as Bangladesh, and Richardson did acknowledge the crunch group B match will not be easy.
"Every match is a challenge. Every team is difficult - we are not taking any team for granted," he said.
"Playing in Bangladesh is a bit tough, but we believe we have the ability, and we certainly have the belief now that we can beat Bangladesh."
Meanwhile Bangladesh spinner Abdur Razzak is hoping the wicket will suit the hosts after their spinners struggled in the opening games.
He said: "Hopefully we will get some turn on this pitch - we did not get enough in the first two matches. This one looks like it is going to turn, but then you can't say for sure before you actually play on it."
Razzak also claimed that he is ready to face destructive opener Chris Gayle in the upcoming match, adding: "I am absolutely ready to take on Gayle. There is no way you can take a step backwards or you could get pushed over. It does not help if you go on to the back foot."
Teams:
West Indies: Darren Sammy (capt), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Darren Bravo, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kieron Pollard, Devon Thomas, Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Kemar Roach, Kirk Edwards, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Devendra Bishoo.
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Naeem Islam, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Suhrawadi Shuvo.
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI) and Steve Davis (AUS)
West Indies vs Bangladesh in ODIs/World Cup
ODIs
West Indies have won eleven and lost three out of 16 played (NR 2) out of 16 played. Winning % 78.57 for West Indies and 21.42 for Bangladesh.
World Cup
West Indies have won both the result-oriented games against Bangladesh out of three played.
MATCH PREVIEW
West Indies team manager Richie Richardson is full of optimism ahead of his team`s clash with Bangladesh in Mirpur, despite being below the co-hosts in the official International Cricket Council`s one-day rankings.
An era of struggle has seen the Windies` stock fall to such an extent that they are not considered automatic favourites to beat Bangladesh.
But Richardson is not thinking about that and, in fact, the former West Indies captain is demanding success in the competition on the whole.
"To win every single match, that's my target. To win the ICC Cricket World Cup," he said.
"I am very confident that we can win this ICC CWC. I am very positive. We are playing positive cricket, the guys are improving every day, and I am feeling very, very confident."
Richardson, who also represented Yorkshire during his career, was defiant that his players do not fear anyone.
He added: "We are ready to tackle any opposition, any spin attack, any pace attack, any team. We are prepared to take them on. We are positive and intend to go out there and play positive cricket.
"It's always difficult playing against a home team on their turf. Obviously they know the conditions really well, and they have the home support - we have beaten people all over the world, so we are not worried about that."
The West Indies have a win and a defeat to their name after their opening two matches, the same record as Bangladesh, and Richardson did acknowledge the crunch group B match will not be easy.
"Every match is a challenge. Every team is difficult - we are not taking any team for granted," he said.
"Playing in Bangladesh is a bit tough, but we believe we have the ability, and we certainly have the belief now that we can beat Bangladesh."
Meanwhile Bangladesh spinner Abdur Razzak is hoping the wicket will suit the hosts after their spinners struggled in the opening games.
He said: "Hopefully we will get some turn on this pitch - we did not get enough in the first two matches. This one looks like it is going to turn, but then you can't say for sure before you actually play on it."
Razzak also claimed that he is ready to face destructive opener Chris Gayle in the upcoming match, adding: "I am absolutely ready to take on Gayle. There is no way you can take a step backwards or you could get pushed over. It does not help if you go on to the back foot."
Teams:
West Indies: Darren Sammy (capt), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Darren Bravo, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kieron Pollard, Devon Thomas, Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Kemar Roach, Kirk Edwards, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Devendra Bishoo.
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Naeem Islam, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Suhrawadi Shuvo.
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI) and Steve Davis (AUS)
West Indies vs Bangladesh in ODIs/World Cup
ODIs
West Indies have won eleven and lost three out of 16 played (NR 2) out of 16 played. Winning % 78.57 for West Indies and 21.42 for Bangladesh.
World Cup
West Indies have won both the result-oriented games against Bangladesh out of three played.
