Bangladesh were anything but convincing in their opening match of the T20 World Cup but they got the job done against the Netherlands and if they can get it done against Ireland on Friday they will have more than one foot in the next round of the event.
We should offer Bangladesh an excuse for their slightly flat performance on Wednesday. They had only landed in India less than 48hrs previously and of course they didn’t really have a way they could win given how much they were expected to dominate not just that game but all three in this group.
It hasn’t been much smoother off the field since the Netherlands game than it was on it because news broke on Thursday that two Bangladeshi bowlers – Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny – have had their bowling actions reported for being suspicious. At the time of writing they’ve not been suspended but it remains to see if either play here. Mustafizur Rahman is still a doubt too which isn’t ideal.
Ireland turned up to India with great expectations in this tournament but already they are facing an early exit unless they can find a way to win this match. Win here and take care of the Dutch and that could be enough for them but you’d have to say it is already a long shot.
One of the reasons for their struggles in this format is their bowling. It is such a weak link for them that it holds them back at this level. Maybe in English conditions they would prosper but even Boyd Rankin had little effect in these conditions. You would think George Dockrell will come into the side even allowing for the dew factor.
These two sides have a dated history in this format. They have played four times with Bangladesh winning three times to Ireland’s once. They’ve not played since 2012 though so how much we can read into that I’m not sure. Both are better sides now but I suspect Bangladesh have improved the most especially in these spin friendly conditions.
I see no reason why Ireland can’t be competitive with the bat but I really do worry about them with the ball unless Bangladesh throw their wickets away. That can’t be ruled out but I like how Tamim Iqbal is giving himself some time to get in now and the likes of Mushfiqur and Shakib simply have to come good soon.
Ultimately there’s enough doubt on the match outcome from a value or winning margin point of view especially when you throw in the dew as well but given how weak Ireland’s bowling is I’m expecting the Bangladesh big hitters to cash in here.
Tamim hits a long ball but down the order Shakib, Mahmudullah and Nasir Hossain can all belt it long and we saw the other night how Ireland can struggle at the death. Rankin aside there isn’t a great death bowler there and that isn’t good. Apart from Stirling and Kevin O’Brien, Ireland lack for genuine hitters so the 4/5 on Bangladesh hitting the most sixes looks good to me.
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