Bangladesh keen to reverse ODI drought

Match facts

Tuesday March 18, 2008
Start time: 0930 (local), 0330 (GMT)

While Ireland have little to lose, the pressure is very much on Bangladesh, who since their meeting in the World Cup have lost all 12 ODIs they have played. In the last 17 internationals of all kinds since September, they have won only twice, both in Twenty20 games against West Indies and Kenya.

Form guide - Ireland

Last five completed matches: LLLWW

Player to watch: Holding together the middle order will be Niall 'O Brien, the wicketkeeper batsman, who has been an integral member of the squad since mid 2006. His 72 set up the win over Scotland in July this year and he also played a part in their thrilling one-run victory over Netherlands four days before that.

Form guide - Bangladesh

Last five completed matches: LLLLL

Player to watch: Not many players made much of an impression in the recent one-day drubbing against South Africa but Abdur Razzak remains a potent weapon in the middle overs. His fastish left-arm spinners have helped his economy rate and he has the knack of picking up important wickets too.

Team news

Ireland Trent Johnston (capt), William Porterfield, Kyle McCallan, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien (wk), Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, Reinhardt Strydom, Thinus Fourie, Gary Kidd, Greg Thompson, Eoin Morgan, Paul Stirling, David Langford-Smith, Phil Eaglestone.

Bangladesh Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Mashrafe bin Murtaza, Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Aftab Ahmed, Nazimuddin, Shahriar Nafees, Shakib Al Hasan, Dhiman Ghosh (wk), Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Mahmudullah, Farhad Reza, Raqibul Hassan.

Umpires Enamul Hoque Moni (Bangladesh) & Tyron Wijewardena (Sri Lanka)

Due to a lack of adequate television cameras, there will be no third-umpire referrals; all decisions will be made by the two on-field umpires.

Weather: Bright sunshine with a high of 92 degrees Fahrenheit.

"We are very much aware with the fact that we are going to play against a Test-playing nation. Bangladesh may have lost their last few series badly. But in one-dayers, anybody can win a match on his day."
Phil Simmons, Ireland coach