Tigers seek to shake off the cold
Following the comprehensive 88-run defeat in the warm-up match against Ireland Wolves, Bangladesh will begin their tri-nation ODI series campaign by taking on the West Indies at the Clontarf Cricket Club ground in Dublin today. The day game is scheduled to begin from 3.45 pm Bangladesh time.
Bangladesh’s tour of Ireland could be totally different from their ICC World Cup campaign in the United Kingdom but it will play a huge role in terms of forming the best playing eleven for Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and to test players before heading into the mega event. At the same time the Ireland tour will also help the Tigers to gel as a unit, which will be crucial for such a long tournament.
It was a pretty similar scenario when Bangladesh toured Ireland back in 2017 ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy campaign in the UK, where the Tigers went on to reach the semifinal of a major tournament for the first time.
There are a few concerns with the likes of Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin, who are recovering from injuries. At the same time, the chilly weather in Ireland will also play a big role as, hailing from warmer climes, it will be a challenge for the Tigers to cope. It will also be a great opportunity for the likes of pacers Taskin Ahmed and Abu Jayed to showcase their worth before the World Cup.
“I think we weren’t able to adjust with the cold weather here as even the locals also struggle. There is no scope to adjust as we have to be mentally tough and it will only be an excuse after the game, so ultimately, we have to deal with it and play,” Mashrafe told reporters ahead of their first tri-series encounter against the West Indies in Dublin yesterday.
West Indies, on the other hand, started the series against hosts Ireland in style with a crushing 196-run win, riding on a world record 365-run opening stand between Shai Hope and John Campbell, with both batsman striking centuries.
“There are a few players who we know are capable of winning the game single-handedly, such as Shai Hope, against whom we struggled even in Bangladesh. He is in good form and they have Darren Bravo, and their pace bowling attack is really good. They had a good outing in the first game, while we lost the warm-up match. But I think it’s important that we are able to execute when we face them,” he said.
But Bangladesh, who won the last two ODI series against the Caribbean outfit in 2018, will be oozing with confidence but the Tigers will be wary of the batting department after being bundled out for just 219 against Ireland Wolves the other day.
Once again, it will be the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad who will have to take the responsibility in the batting department while skipper Mashrafe will lead the bowling department.
There are a few players we know who are capable of winning the game single-handedly such as Shai Hope, against whom we even struggled in Bangladesh. He is in good form and they have Dwayne Bravo and their pace bowling attack is really good.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza
Bangladesh ODI captain
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