Bangladesh head coach ‘surprised’ by T20I series win over Windies

Steve Rhodes chats with Sabbir Rahman and Mosaddek Hossain during a Bangladesh training session

Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes has expressed his delight after his side secured a series victory over T20I world champions Windies.

Bangladesh’s tour of the West Indies began with great disappointment, losing both Test matches by heavy margins. The subsequent ODI series was successful though, where Bangladesh recorded two impressive victories to bring home the series 2-1, before winning back-to-back T20Is to come back from behind and secure a series victory in the shortest format.

Windies won the first match in Basseterre before losing out to Rhodes’ side in the remaining games in Florida, something which left the coach somewhat surprised. Opener Liton Das smashed a rapid 61 from 32 as Bangladesh racked up 184/5 in the conclusive T20I, restricting Windies to 135/7 in reply.

“The Test series was tough,” Rhodes said. “We took a bit of a beating, but I am very proud of the way the boys came back strongly. Winning the one-dayers was something that we fancied. It was great to have achieved that.

“The T20s came as a bit of a surprise. We really did play well in the second and the third game. I am delighted that we have two series trophies. It was a great effort. I am very pleased for Liton (Das). He played magnificently in that final game.”

Rhodes expressed his delight at Bangladesh’s ODI form ahead of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and the more imminent Asia Cup, which commences on 15 September.

“I think it would give confidence to the squad,” added Rhodes. “There’s nothing better than winning. We have already played pretty well in ODIs previously, so we are optimistic. We don’t want to get carried away, but certainly we are very pleased. We could have won the ODIs 3-0.”

Rhodes was more realistic regarding his side’s red-ball batting exploits, given that they were skittled for scores of 43, 144, 149 and 168 in the Test series, but praised the potent Windies bowling attack.

“Our batting was exposed a little bit in the Test matches,” Rhodes said. “I think we need to generally tidy up a little bit and try to improve our Test match batting. But, we have quality players. We just need to adapt to conditions and opposition a little bit quicker in away Tests.

“I think in the first Test, the toss was crucial. The wicket seamed, bounced and swung. The West Indies attack – (Kemar) Roach, (Shannon) Gabriel and (Miguel) Cummins – with the Dukes cricket ball were very useful. Most batting (line-ups) would have struggled in Antigua.

“I think both captains in the ODIs and the T20s handled the bowling magnificently. We have some quality spin bowlers, and actually, the pace bowling proved to be more effective than the West Indies’. I am very happy.

“For the Test matches, we have to try to find a couple of quicker and taller bowlers who can hit the wicket, which the West Indies bowlers did.”