Bangladesh will take on West Indies in the second ODI match of the tri-nation series at the Castle Avenue in Dublin today.The match is scheduled to start on 3:45 pm. The Caribbean team thrashed Ireland by 196 runs in the first match in Dublin on Sunday. Thanks to John Campbell and Shai Hope, their record 365-run stand, highest first-wicket partnership in an ODI, guided their team towards victory.
On contrary, Bangladesh suffered a comprehensive 88-run defeat to the Ireland Wolves in a practice match at the Hills Cricket Club Ground in Dublin on Sunday. Therefore, Tigers will need to be at their absolute best if they are to beat the Windies. Bangladesh batsmen were blunt as they were all out for 219 in 42.2 overs, chasing 308 in that match against Ireland Wolves.
Tamim, Shakib, Mushfiq, Mahmudullah all played in that match but only Shakib Al Hasan shone both with bat and ball, top-scoring with 54 but none of the other batsmen were able to offer much resistance. Batsmen will need to make amends today with their batting as Dublin pitches are normally batting friendly.
Windies pacer Shannon Gabriel and spinner Ashley Nurse bowled brilliantly in the match against Ireland, scalping 3 and 4 wickets respectively. Hence, Tigers’ batsman should play them carefully.
Bangladesh bowlers will also need to be sharp and try to neutralize the inform Windies batters. Campbell made 179 and Hope 170 during their record opening stand. Bangladesh bowlers should try to get them out quickly. Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain shone with the bowl against Ireland Wolves, bagging three and two wickets respectively.
Skipper Mashrafe bin Mortaza who didn’t play the practice match is set to lead the side in the match against West Indies. Farhad Reza is likely to pave the way of Mashrafe’s return to the fold. Pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman is unlikely to play the game given his injury concern, meaning Bangladesh apart from Farhad Reza will go with the same squad that played the practice game against Ireland Wolves on Sunday. In the last 5 matches against the Windies in ODI, Bangladesh came on top 3 times, with Windies winning 2.
