BAN vs IRE Match Preview
The Ireland team is being led by Andrew Balbirnie in this test match. He has been a pretty prolific run-getter for them in all formats of the game. Other experienced and key members of the squad are Curtis Campher and Harry Tector. The addition of players such as Mark Adair and Andy McBrine to the side brings a lot of experience and weight to the team. Ireland will play a couple of test matches in Sri Lanka after completing this tour of Bangladesh. This is a good opportunity to get used to the sub-continent conditions and figure out the kind of cricket they intend to play.
In the last 3 test matches for Ireland, their skipper Andy Balbirnie has scored 146 runs with an average of 24.33. The only other batter to have played test cricket for Ireland earlier is James McCollum who has scored 73 runs in two matches with an average of 18.25. Ireland desperately lacks experience in the batting and bowling department. Andy McBrine has picked up 3 wickets in the couple of games he has played and Mark Adair has 6 wickets to his credit from the only test match he took part in with a strike rate of 27.66.
The veteran Bangladesh opening batsman Tamim Iqbal will make a comeback to the test side after being side-lined due to a groin injury. Tamim Iqbal missed the test series against India as he was injured. Other players that will make a comeback to the team are Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain, and Shadman Islam. However, everyone in Bangladesh is excited about the return of Tamim Iqbal. The absence of Zakir Hasan due to injury has also disappointed many because he played well against the Indians in the earlier series.
Zakir Hasan fractured his finger and so cannot be included in the team but the return of Tamim Iqbal contradicts this negative aspect for Bangladesh. Shadman played for Bangladesh in South Africa in April 2022 last. Some of the other players that failed to cut this squad are Yasir Ali, Rejaur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, and Nurul Hasan. There was also a lot of drama surrounding the inclusion of Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das. They wanted to play in the IPL and skip this test. But they have been asked to play for the national team and will arrive in the IPL later.
Weather Report
Although we might get an uneventful day on the first day of the test in terms of weather, there are some chances of getting rain on the second day of the match. This can lead to some interruptions in the proceedings. However, apart from that there isn't any likelihood of rain interruptions on the other 4 days of the test. There will be sunshine and temperatures during the game that will be close to 34 degrees.
Pitch Report
This game will be held at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. This stadium is located about 10 km away from the Dhaka city center. It has an excellent drainage facility so in the event of rain we can expect a quick restart to the match. Although the wicket is expected to be slow and low, we might get the curator to decide on a faster pitch against this opposition.
Notable stats
This is the first test match ever between the two sides.
There is no head-to-head record available for this test because this is the first time these two teams are playing test cricket against each other. So, it is a historic occasion for the two teams.
Litton Das has scored a lot of runs in his last few matches.
Litton Das has scored 800 runs in his last ten games for Bangladesh with an average of 44.44. He is their most prolific batter in this format of the game.
Team News
Both teams have made several changes to the sides that played in the T20I series between these two teams that concluded a few days ago. However, they do not seem to be any injury updates available.
BAN vs IRE Probable 11
BAN Playing 11
- Tamim Iqbal
- Najmul Hossain Shanto
- Mahmudul Hasan Joy
- Mominul Haque
- Shakib Al Hasan (C)
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Litton Das (Wk)
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Taskin Ahmed
- Ebadot Hossain
- Taijul Islam
IRE Playing 11
- James McCollum
- Peter Moor
- Andrew Balbirnie (C)
- Harry Tector
- Curtis Campher
- George Dockrell
- Lorcan Tucker (Wk)
- Mark Adair
- Andy McBrine
- Graham Hume
- Benjamin White
Dream11 Prediction
Everybody including us is expecting the Bangla tigers to outplay their Irish counterparts in this game. Last year, the Bangladesh team was successful in beating a much stronger opposition in India at this same venue. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was successful in picking up a 5-wicket haul in the game. Ireland is expected to struggle in both batting and bowling departments in these spinner-friendly conditions in Mirpur. We will bet with Bangladesh to win this game.
Top Picks
Mehidy Hasan Miraz: Mehidy Hasan Miraz is one of the crucial bowlers for Bangladesh. He has picked up 31 wickets in his last 8 games with a strike rate of 66.48.
Mushfiqur Rahim: Mushfiqur Rahim is a consistent batter for Bangladesh in all formats of the game. In his last 7 appearances, he has scored 465 runs with an average of 42.27.
Andy Balbirnie: The Ireland skipper makes his return to the national side with this test match. He is a key component of the Irish outfit and will be relied upon to make big runs.
Mark Adair: This fast bowler will be expected to do most of the damage for Ireland against Bangladesh. He has done well across different formats for Ireland.
BAN vs IRE Dream11 Team 1
Keeper: L. Das
Batters: T. Iqbal, M. Rahim, N. Hossain Shanto, A. Balbirnie
All-rounders: S. Al Hasan (C), H. Tector, M. Hasan Miraz (VC)
Bowlers: T. Ahmed, M. Adair, A. McBrine
