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Dublin: Bangladesh has made tremendous growth in recent times in One-Day Internationals, but the team would be disappointed with how it batted against New Zealand in its second game of the triangular series in Ireland.
Bangladesh got off to a good start as Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar put on 72 runs for the opening wicket. At that stage, the team would have aimed at a big score, but it ended up posting only 257 for 9. Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah made half-centuries, but no one took up the responsibility of building the base for a match-winning score. It proved costly as New Zealand, despite losing some late wickets, reached the target in 47.3 overs.
It is a lesson that the Asian side will carry to the Champions Trophy in England and Wales next month. It has a chance to get more acquainted with the conditions and bat in a more planned manner when it takes on Ireland in the fourth match of the triangular series at Malahide in Dublin on Friday (May 19).
The first match between the two sides in the tournament was washed out. Ireland started well by reducing Bangladesh to 70 for 4 before Tamim’s unbeaten 64 took his side to 157 without any further loss.
No play was possible beyond 31.1 overs, leaving both teams wondering about what could have been. Ireland would have been more desperate for a chance to test itself and push for a win.
The home side has struggled for consistency. It did well to keep New Zealand to 289 for 7, but then no batsman stood up in the chase outside of Niall O’Brien.
O’Brien’s maiden century came at a healthy strike-rate of 83.20, but he became the eighth wicket to fall and Ireland was bowled out with 27 balls to spare. Had he got some support from the rest of the line-up, Ireland may not have lost by 51 runs.
Against Bangladesh, Ireland will hope to create something spectacular.
The last time the Associate nation beat Bangladesh was in July 2010 when William Porterfield led from the front with a knock of 108 in a successful chase of 235.
Many players remain from that win. That a number of recent results haven’t gone their way is good motivation for the players to give it their all to change the trend.
Teams from:
Ireland: William Porterfield (capt), Andy Balbirnie, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Barry McCarthy, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson (wk), Craig Young.
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Imrul Kayes, Mahmudullah, Mehedi Hasan, Mosaddek Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shafiul Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Subashis Roy, Sunzamul Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed
Pitch and conditions
Rain is forecast at noon and there is cloud cover expected right through the afternoon.
Stats and trivia
Mahmudullah needs 28 more to complete 3000 runs in ODI cricket.
Match facts
Friday May 19, 2017
Start time 10.45am local (0945 GMT)
