DHAKA, March 19, 2023 (BSS) - Bangladesh are looking forward to wrapping up the three-match ODI series without any trouble as they take on visiting Ireland in the second match tomorrow (Monday) at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
 
The match which starts at 2 PM will be aired live on T Sports Channel.
 
Bangladesh won the first match with quite ease as it was widely expected.
 
They put up their ODI highest 338-8 and then shot the visitors out for only 155 runs in 30.5 overs to claim a 183-run victory, comfortably their largest margin ever victory in this format.
 
At any stage, barring the first 10 overs when there was some swing for the pacers on offer, Ireland were no match for Bangladesh who have been invincible at own backyard for the last eight years. In this period they lost just two series-both against England.
 
It was the third bilateral series between Bangladesh and Ireland. While Bangladesh won the first bilateral series at home in 2008 by sweeping a three-match series, they drew the three-match series in Ireland by 1-1 in 2010. One match of that series was abandoned.
 
Overall the two sides so far played 11 matches, with Bangladeshi leading the contest comfortably with eight wins. Ireland won just two matches.
If the recent form and strength is anything to go by, Bangladesh are on course for another comprehensive victory to seal the series with a match to spare.
 
But Bangladesh's main target is to rotate the players in this series to create enough options for the upcoming World Cup. They got exactly what they wanted with Towhid Hridoy paying the faith, hitting 92 runs knock, highest by any Bangladeshi player on debut.
 
Now it's time for Yasir Ali to show his mettle. Well reputed as one of the most talented players, Yasir is yet to showcase his talent.
 
The Tigers opted to have rest today. Senior player Shakib Al Hasan who scored 93 and took one wicket in the first match, utilized the day off to return to Dhaka to join the convocation of his university (American International University of Bangladesh-AIUB) where he was conferred his BBA degree.
 
After being mauled by Bangladesh, Ireland were serious to put a good show in the second game, which turned out to be a 'do or die' game for them.
"At the halfway stage, we weren't too disappointed. The wicket was the best to bat on when we started but those 4-5 wickets cost us. We don't want to use lack of experience as an excuse but they did look in rhythm and played very well," Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie said after the first match.
 
"But the beauty of it is we will get another chance on Monday. We want to compete but do better than we did today, especially with the bat."
 
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal (Captain), Liton Das, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Rony Talukdar.
 
Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (C), Harry Tector, Gareth Delany, Paul Stirling, Curtis Campher, Matthew Humphreys, Lorcan Tucker, Stephen Doheny, Mark Adair, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Benjamin White, Andy McBrine, Joshua Little.