Sunday 15 April 2007

Preview: Bangladesh vs Ireland

The match provides Ireland with their best chance of a Super Eight victory, whilst for Bangladesh it is a real test of how far they have come. They are the favourites to win this game and they will have to deal with that expectaton. Both sides strengths lie in the bowling department and in Boyd Rankin and Trent Johnston, Ireland have two good seamers capable of taking the wickets of the best batsman. Meanwhile, the likes of Andre Botha, Andrew White and Kyle McCallan are capable of restricting sides in the middle overs.

In Mohammad Rafique, Sakib al Hasan and Abdur Razzaq, Bangladesh have a restrictive attack which is always in with an excellent shout on slow wickets. The up front pairing of Mashrafe Mortaza and Syed Rasel are also very capable and all round they are a good one day attack, backed up by youthful and athletic fielding. The inconsistency in the batting of both sides often proves to be their downfall and that is why both sides are in with a chance of victory today. Bangladesh though have more quality when they get it right.

Prediction: Bangladesh to show that they are most certainly no longer minnows.

Players to watch: Mushfiqur Rahim and Eoin Morgan.

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