With one eye on the World Cup 2023, which will take place in India later this year, England is taking the ODI series against Bangladesh as a great chance of preparation on the surface that they will probably have to deal with in the World Cup, reports UNB.

The three-match ODI series is set to begin on March 1 in Dhaka. Ahead of that, both the hosts and visitors are having a busy time preparing themselves.

“It’ll be a great challenge for us,” Buttler said. “Obviously, Bangladesh is very tough to beat in their home conditions. They beat India as well. So this is exactly the kind of challenge we need, nearing the World Cup.”

He also said that Bangladesh would offer them a challenge similar to what they may face in the World Cup in Indian conditions.

Bangladesh’s surfaces are typically low and slow, which is not easy for teams like England to perform on. Buttler accepted this fact and said this is the challenge that they need to face now to move forward, having a dream to do well in the subcontinent.

“All our preparation is geared towards that World Cup,” the England captain said. “These are the conditions that will probably be the closest that we can get to playing in India. You know, we only have these matches, and then don't play again until September, just before the World Cup. So it's a great challenge for us, and we're excited about the series.”

Spinners are expected to play big roles in this series. For Bangladesh, there are Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and also Taijul Islam, who is not a familiar face in ODIs but has been included in this series. All three have vast experience playing at the highest level of cricket, especially at home. They can be dangerous for any team in the world.

In contrast, England have a mixed-up spin attack led by Adil Rashid. They also have Moeen Ali, who recently played in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and was one of the mainstays of Comilla Victorians to win their fourth title. Along with them, they have a teenage spinner in Rehan Ahmed, who recently got his Test cap and scalped seven wickets in his debut against Pakistan.

Before his first Test, Rehan played only four First-class matches. But with only this, he proved his mettle as a spinner, bagging 16 wickets with two five-fors. He also has a century in First-class, which made Buttler hopeful about his future as a batter as well.

“Really excited for someone with so much talent, not just with the ball but with the bat as well. So we look forward to watching him develop and hopefully turning himself into a brilliant international cricketer,” Buttler sounded excited while talking about Rehan.

Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan