Ireland Tri-Series Match 2, West Indies vs Bangladesh: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

West Indies started the Ireland Tri-Series tournament with a resounding thumping of the hosts after John Campbell (179 in 137 balls) and Shai Hope (170 in 157) added a world record stand of 365 for the opening stand at Malahide.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, began dismally with a 88-defeat against Ireland A on the same day, at The Vineyard, Dublin. Shakib Al Hasan (10-1-30-1 and a 43-ball 54) was the only one to put up some resistance.

Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Keemon Paul – several key West Indian players have been busy with the IPL even as their teammates thrashed Ireland. Bangladesh look the stronger side on paper against this second-string side, but if West Indies perform remotely close to what they did in the Ireland match, Bangladesh will be up against serious challenge.

Head to head

The teams have met 34 times, of which West Indies have won 21 and lost 11. However, Bangladesh have won 4 of their last 6 encounters. West Indies have won both faceoffs in the British Isles, in the 1999 World Cup and the 2004 Champions Trophy.

Key players

John Campbell (West Indies): A fearless, ferocious hitter, Campbell missed out on an ODI double-hundred by 21 runs the other day, but he still put on a world record stand opening stand with Shai Hope. Campbell was in terrific form against England, and will want to carry his form into the Bangladesh match.

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): Top scorer, check. Best bowler, check. Stand-in captain, check. Shakib was all over during Bangladesh’s embarrassing defeat against Ireland A. The greatest cricketer in the history of the nation, it is time for him to rise to the challenge.

Likely XIs

West Indies: Jason Campbell, Shai Hope (wk), Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Jonathan Carter, Sunil Ambris, Jason Holder (c), Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Farhad Reza, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain.

Prediction

West Indies, with some serious momentum behind them, are likely to triumph.