Tigers battle injuries ahead of Ireland ODIs

 

Sports Live: Bangladesh are battling with fitness and injury concerns as they prepare for the three-match one-day international series against Ireland, beginning at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. The day-night affair will begin at 2:00pm and T Sports and GTV will televise the match live.

Captain Tamim Iqbal was down with a viral fever and could miss the opening game.  ‘There’s a little bit of concern with his health... I think he has some kind of a viral infection. He will bat and field today. We will make the call afterwards,’ Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha said during a pre match press conference in Sylhet on Friday.

Back-up opener Zakir Hasan was also ruled out of the series with a thumb injury and has been replaced by uncapped Rony Talukdar.

The hosts suffered another blow during Friday’s training session when all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz was hit by a football in his eye and had to take treatment in a local hospital.

A team spokesman said that the seriousness of Mehidy’s injury was still unknown and that a decision on his participation in the opening game would be taken later.

The Ireland series came after Bangladesh lost their seven-year unbeaten record in ODI series at home to England last week. They, however, regained some of their confidence thanks to a 3-0 win in the Twenty20 series against the world champions. ‘We respect Ireland just like England, but we don’t fear any team,’ said Hathurusingha.

‘We are not going to treat Ireland any less than how we prepared for England. When we play our best cricket, we are good enough to beat most teams. It is our mantra,’ he said.

The matches are also part of Bangladesh’s preparation for the World Cup to be held in India later this year. Bangladesh are one of the seven teams to qualify for the tournament so far. ‘The best way to prepare for a game is playing matches. Cricket is the only game where you can’t practice the way you want to play,’ he said.

Bangladesh have won seven of their 10 ODIs against Ireland, including all four on home soil, though Hathurusingha insisted it would not be a easy series for the home side.

‘Winning is always our aim whoever we play. No team is easy in international cricket. They beat England during the World Cup. On their day, any team can beat anyone,’ he said.

 ‘We are trying to expand our pool regardless of who we play. We will try to win,’ he said. Ireland are yet to qualify for the 2023 World Cup. The second and third matches of the series will be held at the same venue on March 20 and 23 respectively.

Chattogram will host the three Thwenty20 internationals to be held on March 27, 29 and 31, while the lone and first ever Test between the two team’s will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium from April 4-8.

Dhaka, 17 March (campuslive24.com)//ssm

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