By Craig Cozier
St George's, Grenada - Buoyed by a first test win on foreign soil this week, Bangladesh wants to add an historic series success against strike-decimated West Indies in second and final test starting on Friday.
Allrounder Shakib-al-Hasan will officially lead Bangladesh at Queen's Park after captain Mashrafe Mortaza was ruled out with a knee injury sustained early in the 95-run victory in St Vincent three days ago.
Shakib recognizes his contribution as a left-handed batsman and attacking left-arm spinner could hold the key to his team scoring its first overseas test series triumph and only second overall.
"I need to bat better for my team," Shakib said. "I need to do well every game I play for my country. That's what my plan is.
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"It's unfortunate for us that our captain is missing. He has got a problem in his knee. But we are looking forward to tomorrow's match."
Shakib said the victory in St Vincent, only Bangladesh's second win in 60 tests since its admission to the test fold in November 2000, should benefit the players.
"We are playing with confidence now and go into the match with good spirit," he added.
Mortaza's place is expected to go to a spinner, either Enamul Haque Jr or allrounder Mehrab Hossain Jr, both left-armers.
Spin played a major part in its first test win as debutant offspinner Mahmudullah grabbed match figures of 8-110. Shakib claimed 5-115 and part-timer Mohammad Ashraful also collected an important wicket in each innings.
West Indies has been boosted by the arrival of allrounder Ryan Hinds, himself an effective left-arm spinner but more known for his left-handed batting.
In a squad which featured seven debutants in the first test, the 28-year-old Hinds became the most experienced member having played in 14 tests up to last March against England at Port-of-Spain.
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