Bangladesh Ireland ODI Series
3rd Match Played at Cloud Stadium, Chelmsford, Essex, England on 14 May 2023
Brief Scorecard
Bangladesh 274 All Out in 48.5 Overs (Tamim Iqbal 69, Mushfiqur Rahim 45, Mehedi Miraj 37, Nazmul Hossein Shanto 35, Litton Kumar Das 35, Mark Adair 4/40, Gorge Dockrell 2/31, Andy McBrine 2/39
Ireland 269/9 in 50 Overs (Paul Sterling 60, Andy Balbirnie 53, Lorcan Tucker 50, Harry Tector 45. Mustafizur Rahman 4/40, Hasan Mahmud 2/44)
Bangladesh won by 5 runs.
Bangladesh won the 3 matches ODI Series 2-0 .1st Match was rain ruined.
Player of the match: Mustafizur Rahman
Player of the series: Nazmul Hossein Shanto
Bangladesh felt it home away from home at English county Chelmsford as thousands of cheering fans assembled to greet team tigers in their three matches ODI series against Ireland. Fans in Green and Red enjoyed the victory of the new look dynamic Bangladesh team to their hearts content. Bangladesh won the series 2-0 with the 1st match getting rain ruined.
Bangladesh Cricket team is on a mission for working out the best combination for two key international events Asia Cup and World Cup. Since the end 2022 Bangladesh is winning matches against different opponents. Now on tour Winning tight matches in alien conditions new look Bangladesh team is maturing. The first match of the three matches ODI series against Ireland (part of ODI super league ) was rain ruined . the second match Bangladesh won chasing a mammoth 320 runs in 45 overs.
The third they successfully defended 274 from a losing situation. Does not matter these were against a minnow. Yet winning matches in condition opposite to home condition in very tight situation and on occasion through performances of the younger players is a testimony that the team is maturing. Yesterday the weather improved on the course of the day from dark gloom overcast condition to sunshine. Bangladesh put into bat after losing the toss did not start well. Several players Tamim (69), Litton (35), Shanto (35) but could not get going. Mushfqiue (45) and Mehedi Miraj (37) settling down showed promise for a 300 plus score. But a dramatic late order collapse saw Bangladesh innings crumbling to 274 all out. On a batting friendly wicket under sun shine home team ably steered by Paul Sterling (60) and Andy Balbirnie (53) set a solid foundation. Later Harry Tector (45) and Lorcan Tucker (50) showed them dreams for a win. But Mustafizur (the fizz) returning to his brilliant best after a while taking 4/40 and Hasan Mahmud striking gold (2/44) made the home team succumb to 269/9 losing by 5 wickets. Bangladesh bowled and fielded brilliantly as soon as they sniffed a win. Like champion team they choked the home team.
If one looks back in retrospect Bangladesh team on transition has gained a lot from the tour. Whatever be the difference between two teams win is always a win. If that happens on a tour specially on English wicket and condition it is always very satisfying. Over the series Nazmul Shanto proved his utility as a reliable top order batsman, Tawhid Hridoy demonstrated his class and quality, Mushfique proved yet again his dependability in changed role. Mustafizur in his only outing regained his prolific form. Tamim finally came to his own. Mehedi Miraj developed further as a useful allrounder. Hasan Mahmud and Ebadat Hossain forming competent pace attack with Mustafizur proved that Bangladesh is ready for competing with the best of the best. The ground fielding and catching has improved a great deal. Bangladesh is also running their singles sharply.
However, there are few areas to ponder as well. Opening partnership has some issues. Tamim and Litton were not at their fluent best. Mushfique and Miraj stabilized the late middle order. But absence of Mahmudullah Raid was felt. Bangladesh late middle order and tail collapsed. Major teams will exploit this unless cared for.
Hope enough experiment has been done. Bangladesh must get its squad ready for Asia Cup and World Cup and give them enough time to gel together.
BDST: 1152 HRS, MAY 15, 2023
SMS
