Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes has criticized the point rules of the ongoing tri-nation series in Ireland, stating that teams can be made to pay dearly for rained-off games, Cricbuzz reports.
The third ODI of the tri-series, between Ireland and Bangladesh, was abandoned without a ball bowled at The Village ground after Western Europe Islands of England and Ireland continued to be hit by rain.
A team can earn a maximum of five points from a win, if they manage to get an extra bonus point - awarded for big margins of victory - besides with the four points accorded for a victory. Participating teams are given two points each in the event of an abandoned game. Though Bangladesh are leading the points table after receiving two points, the double round-robin format of the tournament means losing out potentially three points (for a bonus-point win) against the competition's weakest opposition could still affect their progress to the May 17 final.
"The system is best for some hot countries in international cricket. In Scotland, Ireland and England in May you get rained off games and the side may lose out a little bit in rained off games," Rhodes said. "Maybe that needs looking at. If we had won this game, it would have been easier to play some of these guys but we got only two points for the no result and it may effect for the opportunities for the guys and that's a shame.
"Little bit disappointed [because] we did feel this was the game that we really wanted to win as it would put us in a very strong position. But we can do nothing about it and so mixed feelings because I really wanted more than than two points."
The wash-out meant Rhodes and his support staff couldn't take a closer look at fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, whose form in the 50-over format has been a cause of worry heading into the World Cup. The left-armer has gone for 93 and 82 in his last two ODI, but Rhodes said he was hopeful of the seamer rediscovering his best before the showpiece event.
"I am not concerned. I really think he is a wonderful one-day bowler. Not long ago he was ranked in the top-five. We haven't got many of our Bangladesh bowlers ranked among five in the world," he said.
"Sometimes he [Mustafizur] has lacked a bit of pace. But I was quite pleased there were few balls in the middle overs when he really got through to the wicket keeper Mushy [Rahim] and he looked as if he's got back little bit of pace."
Rhodes however, remains worried about not having the bowling services of Mahmudullah, who suffered a grade-three labrum tear on his shoulder during the tour of New Zealand. Though he can bat without pain, Bangladesh management have opted not to risk him by getting him to bowl even a couple of overs.
"Riyad [Mahmudullah] is quite confident that he can get himself fit before the World Cup. But to be bowling then, maybe at the backend of the this tournament might be a good opportunity to bowl one or two overs," said Rhodes.
"We need him bowling because he gives us options for the sixth or the seventh bowler because you know he started his career as an off-spin bowler and a good one, so we could do with his bowling and that's a slight concern."