Bangladesh-Ireland 1st ODI today

Sports Reporter :
Bangladesh will take on Ireland in the first One Day International (ODI) cricket match at Chelmsford in United Kingdom today. The match will start at 3.00pm (Bangladesh Standard Time). Bangladesh will face Ireland in the second ODI at the same venue on May 12, the Tigers will meet the hosts in the third ODI at the same venue on May 14. The three-match ODI series is part of ICC ODI Super League.

Before today’s match, Bangladesh and Ireland faced each other in 13 ODI matches. Of them, Bangladesh registered nine victories, while Ireland won two occasions and rest of the two matches ended without result.

The ICC has taken initiative to stage bilateral series in ODI cricket for competitive cricket. The ODI series are part of ICC ODI series. A total of ten teams will take part in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India in September-October. The top seven teams of the ICC ODI Super League will directly play in the ensuing ICC World Cup. The other teams will play in the Qualifiers to participate in the ICC World Cup.

Bangladesh have taken the fourth position with 130 points in the ICC ODI Super League. Bangladesh have already confirmed their World Cup berth. So, this series is not so important for Bangladesh. On the other hand, if Ireland can beat Bangladesh by 3-0 in this series, Ireland will directly play in the ICC World Cup 2023. Otherwise, they will play in the Qualifiers to compete in the World Cup.

Captain of Bangladesh ODI Cricket team Tamim Iqbal said, ” My own target is Bangladesh will finish their Super League berth among top four teams. If any team finish their Super League campaign by taking seventh position, it is not a factor. But if we finish our Super League mission by taking at least fourth position, it is prestigious. As a Captain I want that my team will finish their Super League campaign taking them among the top four position.”

Head Coach of Bangladesh team Chandika Hathurusingha said, ” Conditions of England is not a factor. We are not aware of opponents and results. We want to develop.”

Bangladesh have become a powerhouse in ODI format in now-a-days. The Tigers have a chance to present a better brand of cricket in the ensuing ICC ODI Super League. If Bangladesh win this series, they will be highly motivated mentally and physically.
Squads:
Bangladesh : Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Litton Das, Rony Talukdar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury.

Ireland squad: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker and Craig Young.