DHAKA, Nov 20, 2024 (BSS)-Wicket-keeper batter Mahidul Islam Ankon believes they can thrive in West Indies condition if they are able to assess the situation well.

Bangladesh dominated the two-day warm up game against West Indies Select XI before it ended in a draw with left-arm spinner Hasan Murad starring with a hat-trick. The warm-up match was held at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

But the ground Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua which will host the first Test from Friday is not a happy hunting place for the Tigers. In this ground in 2018, they had experienced their worst day in Test cricket by being all out for 43, their lowest total in an innings in this format.

Ahead of the two-match series opener, the memory of that Test came back again. 

"The condition here is alien. My plan was to assess how the wicket behaves. When I understood the wicket, I started playing accordingly," Ankon said in a conversation with his teammate Jaker Ali Anik in a video posted on BCB's social media. 

Jaker was the top-scorer amongst the Bangladeshi batter with 48 and he also took self-retirement to give others an opportunity to bat. Jaker and Ankon combined for an 81-run partnership in that practice game.

"The wicket was little slow. We both were able to make a good partnership. I think we have to plan and play according to the situation, there is more swing here, we have to prepare for that in advance," he added.

But it is unlikely that both of the batters could make way for the first Test. 

Jaker Ali made his Test debut against South Africa at home. Although he scored 2 in the first innings, he came back strongly to add 58 runs in the second innings.

However, he suffered a head injury ahead of the second Test that ruled him out, paving the way for Ankon to make his Test debut.

This time, both of them have been flown together to the Caribbean Islands. Whoever is in the XI will have to face a tough test given Bangladesh batters' vulnerability in this ground. 

In 2018, Bangladesh suffered an innings and 219 runs defeat after being all out for 43 and 144 runs respectively in two innings. The situation was almost same in 2022 but they at least could save them from innings defeat. Bangladesh were able to put up 103 and 245 respectively in two innings before tasting seven-wicket defeat.