Big picture
While humiliation was the main outcome then, Bangladesh have a bigger consequence facing them now. The current tour of West Indies is their penultimate in this cycle’s World Test Championship, as they fight their own demons. They have just been knocked over by Sri Lanka at home, after getting hammered by South Africa previously.
There is, however, some respite for the visitors from their drawn warm-up match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground last week. Tamim Iqbal bounced back from his pair against Sri Lanka with 162 against the CWI President’s XI, while Najmul Hossain Shanto got a much-needed fifty. Mustafizur Rahman, bowling with a red ball after a long time, and Ebadot Hossain also took three wickets each.
Meanwhile, hosts West Indies are a bit short of recent Test experience, having only played a single Test series in 2022. But the 2-1 win against England in March was reassurance that with Kraigg Brathwaite in charge, they were perhaps back on track.
If Kemar Roach can pass his fitness test, West Indies can threaten Bangladesh with a proper pace attack that also includes Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and newcomer Anderson Phillip.
There are also first-time call-ups for wicketkeeper-batter Devon Thomas and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie for the series.
Brathwaite will lead the batting line-up with his deputy Jermaine Blackwood, to go with Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva and Kyle Mayers. Raymon Reifer also offers an interesting choice with his left-arm pace and batting. West Indies have also included Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shermon Lewis as reserves.
Recent form
(Last five matches, most recent first)
West Indies WDDLL
Bangladesh LDLLL
In the spotlight
Team news
Now that Shamarh Brooks is dropped, is it likely that Bonner will be back at No. 3? Does Thomas’ inclusion mean anything for Da Silva batting higher up the order, or do the selectors take a chance with newcomer Chanderpaul from the reserves? Will Reifer replace Jason Holder, who has been rested? There could be a lot of questions facing the West Indies team management.
West Indies (probable): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 John Campbell, 3 Nkrumah Bonner, 4 Jermaine Blackwood, 5 Kyle Mayers, 6 Joshua Da Silva (wk), 7 Devon Thomas, 8 Raymon Reifer, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Anderson Philip/Kemar Roach, 11 Jayden Seales
Shakib should come out at No. 5 since Mushfiqur and Yasir aren’t available. Nurul Hasan will bolster the batting unit, but Mosaddek Hossain’s form is a concern. Mustafizur could get a spot if Bangladesh want five bowlers, but that would mean risking a long tail.
Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 6 Litton Das (wk), 7 Nurul Hasan, 8 Mosaddek Hossain, 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Khaled Ahmed, 11 Ebadot Hossain
Pitch and conditions
It is likely to be a straw-coloured pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Rain isn’t forecast over the five days.
Stats and trivia
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84