West Indies to host Bangladesh with eye on improving Test ranking

North Sound (Antigua), July 3 (CRICKETNMORE) - After holding Sri Lanka 1-1 in the recently-concluded three-match Test rubber, the West Indies are all geared up to host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, starting here on Wednesday. The home side start

The hosts also recalled batsman Shimron Hetmyer to the squad while retaining paceman Keemo Paul. The only change was uncapped reserve-wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton missing out. Bangladesh, meanwhile, haven't played much Test cricket of late. When they did earlier this year, against Sri Lanka at home, they lost 0-1.

Mominul Haque, the No.3 batsman, was their best with the bat then, scoring two centuries on his way to 314 runs in four innings. But over four innings, there were only four other half-centuries, seniors Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim scoring one each. Similarly, Taijul Islam was the only one to pick up wickets regularly -- 12 in total -- with the rest of the bowlers not showing too much penetration.

The return of Shakib Al Hasan, as captain, should help the team. Shakib is one of the premier all-rounders in the game and though not in particularly good form of late, can add a lot to the team in both departments. Importantly for Shakib and his teammates, they did well in the two-day tour game against a Cricket West Indies President's XI side.