Ireland v Bangladesh, Tri-series, 1st ODI Preview: Bangladesh aims ranking improvement in series opener

The first match of the tri-series in Ireland is set to get underway with hosts Ireland taking on the Bangladesh. The series is an unusual tri-series in its own sense due to the reason that the series will not have a final to decide the eventual winner. The series includes New Zealand as the third team. This is the first time Ireland is hosting a tri-series comprising of two Test teams.

In the recent times, the Irish team has grown leaps and bounds in stature. They are on the verge of being awarded the Test status. More importantly, in the recent times, they have been given some big fixtures to be a part of as well. Ireland recently played against England in England in a two-match ODI series. They ended up on the losing side but the experience is what certainly matters at the moment.

For the hosts, it is about the bigger picture in hand. On the other side, the Kiwis and the Bangladeshi teams are all about their warm up before they head forward to England for the all-important ICC Champions Trophy. The four matches that Bangladesh will play in the series will serve as their preparatory ground for the big tournament. Also, in case they win all their four matches in Ireland, they will climb to number 6 spot in the ICC ODI rankings.

Toss: Ireland won the toss and opted to field

Playing XI:

Ireland: William Porterfield (c), Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien (wk), Gary Wilson, Paul Stirling, George Dockrell, Tim Murtagh, Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Barry McCarthy, Stuart Thompson

Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Rubel Hossain

Focus will be on

Sabbir Rahman

Young Bangladeshi batsman Sabbir Rahman has been one of the most promising talents from the country in the recent past. In such a short span of time, the batsman has managed to become a mainstay of the Bangladeshi middle-order. Moreover, his current form has been ominous as well. Rahman has the capability of using the long handle and can be a very handy player in the limited overs.

Tamim Iqbal

Tamim Iqbal has been in a superlative form in the recent times. He was very good with the bat in the previous series against Sri Lanka in the overseas conditions. He will be assigned the role to take the attack to the Irish bowlers from the word go. With shorter boundaries in frame, expect Bangladesh side to be banking on the services of Tamim Iqbal to come good for them.

Team Combinations:

Ireland

Ireland are not likely to tinker too much with their team combinations. They recently came up with an improved performance in the second ODI against England after a lackluster show in the first. Tim Murtagh and Barry McCarthy have found ideal support from Peter Chase in the bowling lineup.

The squad is pretty much the same with Indian origin player Simi Singh being the only new addition to the squad. In the batting department, they will be banking on their top three, who are the most experienced in the team. Ed Joyce, Paul Stirling, and William Porterfield will be expected to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh will have a change in their leadership roles for the match. Their regular skipper Mashrafe Mortaza will be serving his one match ban that was handed to him as a result of the slow over rate in the final ODI against Sri Lanka a couple of weeks ago. Shakib Al Hasan will be leading the team in his absence.

Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar are the likely openers with Sabbir Rahman coming in at number three. Mahmudullah is expected to play in the lower order and serve the purpose of the finisher in the lineup. Shafiul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, and Mustafizur Rahman will be the three pacers in the game.

Stat Attack:

5 –  Number of innings Ed Joyce has gone without scoring a fifty.

3 – Number of wickets Kevin O’Brien needs to complete 100 wickets in ODI.