Confident Tigers eye final date
Bangladesh’s tri-nation game against the West Indies at the Malahide Cricket Club ground in Ireland today is a crucial one for the Tigers to reach the final, which they will achieve if they win. However, in the larger context it will also be a challenge for Mashrafe bin Mortaza and his troops to maintain their consistency as a unit ahead of the ICC World Cup. The day game is scheduled to begin from 3:45 pm Bangladesh time.
Bangladesh have had only one full game in Ireland so far -- their comprehensive eight-wicket win over the West Indies in their first match on May 7 -- before their game against Ireland was washed out without a single ball bowled on May 9.
West Indies, on the other hand, started off the series on a high by beating hosts Ireland by a commanding 196 runs, courtesy of a world-record 365-run opening stand between Shai Hope and John Campbell.
Jason Holder’s side did manage to make a comeback after the defeat against Bangladesh when they completed their highest successful run chase to win a close encounter by five wickets and 13 balls to spare against Ireland.
Meanwhile, the home side will have a close eye on todays’ game between Bangladesh and the West Indies and if the Tigers manage to beat the Caribbean outfit, it will be goodbye for Ireland with a game in hand.
Coming back to the World Cup preparations, the Tigers’ think tank may not tinker with the playing eleven keeping a place in the final in mind and most likely field the same team that played against the West Indies in the first game.
Despite a good start by the West Indies batsmen, the Bangladesh bowlers managed to build the pressure on the opponent, with skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza and Mohammad Saifuddin bowling brilliantly in the latter stages of the innings after spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehedi Hasan Miraz pulled the run rate down with some tight bowling in the middle.
There were concerns about who would partner opener Tamim Iqbal, but the team management will certainly get some relief after Soumya Sarkar’s brisk 68-ball 73 in the first game.
Soumya added 144 with Tamim for the opening wicket, which laid the foundation before Shakib finished off the game with an unbeaten, run-a-ball 61 to register an easy win with five overs to spare.
Despite all the positives, there is some concern about left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman’s bowling as he is yet to find his rhythm, evidenced by him leaking 84 runs from his 10 overs for two wickets against West Indies.
Overall, the Tigers will be looking to continue their consistency -- which according to the head coach Steve Rhodes will be crucial -- and iron out some minor chinks when they take on West Indies for a spot in the final today.
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