BAN vs IRE, 1st T20I: Preview, Pitch Report, Probable XIs, Fantasy Tips & Prediction
Bangladesh batters celebrating victory over England (Twitter/AP Photo)
The stage is set now for some fast-paced T20 action as Bangladesh and Ireland get ready for the three-match T20I series after Bangladesh dominated the ODI leg with a 2-0 win. For Bangladesh, it is an opportunity to build on the confidence they gained in this format after a series win against England while for the visitors it is an opportunity to redeem themselves after a lacklustre performance in the ODI series.
Team Preview: Bangladesh
Bangladesh have played pretty good cricket in recent times and would be high in confidence after whitewashing England in their previous T20I series. In the ODI series too they were head and shoulders above the Irish and we can expect Bangla Tigers with their all-round unit to deliver again.
They have a good blend of aggression and solidity in the batting department and in the form of Rony Talukdar and Najmul Hossain Shanto, they have two aggressive batters who can take the game on alongside Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das. Towhid Hridoy has also started his international career with a bang and he would be a player to watch out for in this series.
The Bangla Tigers are also a well-rounded bowling unit now with their young pacers like Hasan Mahmud delivering alongside other experienced pacers and dangerous spinners. Rishad Hossain, a wrist spinner has also been included in the squad and it would be interesting to see how he goes about his business.
Team Preview: Ireland
The Irish boys had a forgettable ODI series and would need to lift up their game in the T20I series to stand a chance. Their regular skipper, Andrew Balbirnie has been rested for the T20Is series and Paul Stirling who will be leading the side need to take more responsibility in this series. They, however, need the likes of Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker and Curtis Campher to deliver as well in the subcontinent conditions.
Ireland do have two aggressive wrist-spin options in the form of Gareth Delany and Benjamin White and some experienced pacers. However, they need both their batting and bowling unit to fire in unison to challenge Bangladesh on their home turf.
Match Details
Date and Time: March 27, 1.30 PM IST
Venue: Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram
Live Streaming: FanCode App
Pitch Report: The wicket in Chattogram is expected to produce good balance between bat and ball. The batters would have to work hard for their runs like we saw in the T20I series against England and bowlers can make an impact if they bowl in good areas. A score around 160 would be pretty competitive but the sides chasing the total have also done well on this ground by winning 11 of the 21 T2OIs.
Probable XIs
Bangladesh: Litton Das (WK), Rony Talukdar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Ireland: Paul Stirling (C), Ross Adair, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Graham Hume, Benjamin White, Craig Young
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeepers: Litton Das
Batters: Najmul Hossain Shanto, George Dockrell, Paul Stirling
All-rounders: Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector
Bowlers: Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed
Captain: Shakib Al Hasan
Vice- Captain: Harry Tector/Litton Das
Prediction
Bangladesh have been in red-hot form in recent times and we can expect them to start this series off with another win.
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