Ireland Tri-Series Match 6, Ireland vs Bangladesh: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Ireland will host Bangladesh for the last of the league matches of the Tri-Series at Malahide. Bangladesh (and West Indies) have already qualified for the final, to be played on March 17, which will give them an opportunity to rest their senior men and try their reserve bench. They may want to rest a couple of key players including Mashrafe Mortaza and Shakib Al Hasan.

Ireland, on the other hand, will want to leave a mark on the tournament, after being beaten by West Indies twice. Their other match against Bangladesh was washed out; this is their one chance to prove their mettle against a World Cup side.

Ireland have a strong seam attack in Boyd Rankin, Tim Murtagh, and Josh Little. Their best chance lies in putting Bangladesh in and hoping their seamers make early inroads. Remember, both Bangladesh wins have come in chases, and Ireland would want to pull them out of their comfort zone.

Head to head

Bangladesh hold a 6-2 lead here. However, one of Ireland’s two wins have come at home, though that was back in 2010.

Key players

Andy Balbirnie (Ireland): Balbirnie averages 68 this year with a strike rate of 90. He was named Player of the Series against Afghanistan earlier this year. His terrific form has spilled over to the home season, culminating in a 124-ball 135 against West Indies.

Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh): The Fizz of old is back. West Indies were set out to give it back to Bangladesh after their early defeat, but they were derailed by Mustafizur, whose 4/43 earned him the Player of the Match award.

Likely XIs

Ireland: Paul Stirling, James McCollum, Andy Balbirnie, William Porterfield (c), Kevin O’Brien, Mark Adair, Gary Wilson (wk), George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin, Tim Murtagh, Josh Little.

Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Abu Jayed, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman.

Prediction

Bangladesh to win and top the league – if there is evidence, that is.