Cricket Ireland rules out venue change amid BCB group-swap reports

Cricket Ireland rules out venue change amid BCB group-swap reports

Representative Image: Ireland ©Getty

Cricket Ireland (CI) has categorically stated that the International Cricket Council will not move their T20 World Cup games out of Sri Lanka. The CI assertion comes in the wake of reports from Bangladesh that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has asked the ICC to swap their groups with Ireland's.

"We've received definitive assurances that we won't move from the original schedule. We're definitely playing the Group Stage in Sri Lanka," an official from CI told Cricbuzz in a statement.

Ireland are placed in Group C of the T20 World Cup alongside co-hosts Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe and Oman. Bangladesh, who are refusing to travel to India, are placed in Group B alongside West Indies, England, Nepal and Italy with their group games scheduled in Kolkata and Mumbai.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) floated the idea of a group swap with Ireland, who play all their games in Sri Lanka, in their meeting with the ICC on Saturday in Dhaka. "Among other points, the possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group as a means of facilitating the matter with minimum logistical adjustments was discussed," the BCB said.

However, BCB's suggestion does not seem to have cut any ice with the ICC as well as Ireland.

Continue Reading

Mahedi puzzled over spot in Bangladesh's first-choice XI

Mahedi puzzled over spot in Bangladesh's first-choice XI

A win will take CSK to 14 points, 2 ahead of the chasing DC © BCCI

Bangladesh all-rounder Shak Mahedi Hasan said on Saturday (November 29) that he is not sure about his non inclusion in the playing XI despite performing regularly in the shortest format. Mahedi picked 3-25 to help the hosts restrict Ireland to 170 in a game where they looked primed to post 200 on the board after racing to 75 in the powerplay.

Bangladesh skipper Litton Kumar Das then hit a brilliant half-century to help the hosts pull off their highest successful T20I run chase at home as they got the job done with two balls to spare and in the process level the series.

When asked why he has not been a regular in the Bangladesh XI despite strong performances, Mahedi looked dejected. "Actually, maybe the head coach can answer this question. Our captain can answer this," said Mahedi, who has taken 10 wickets in his last five outings.

"Those involved in our team selection can answer this. Look, my job is to play. Regarding the question you asked, it is difficult for me... Let me ask you a question: If you work for a channel one month and another channel the next month, it certainly wouldn't be comfortable for you. The same thing is difficult for me. But I am trying," he said after being overlooked in favour of Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain since the Asia Cup in September.

Mahedi added that he is yet to get a clear message from the team management as far his role in the team is concerned. "No, this has never been discussed with me (about my role in the team)," he said. "But my job is to play. Playing for Bangladesh is a matter of pride."

Mahedi credited Saifuddin for his 7-ball unbeaten 17 that came at a vital juncture at the death for the home side. Saifuddin has also been in and out of the team due to competition for spots.

"To be honest, Saifuddin is off and on, not a regular player. Also, when the top-order batters perform well, tail-enders don't always get a chance to bat. In international matches, tail-enders sometimes go long periods without batting," said Mahedi.

"If the top order scores heavily, they naturally bat higher up. In that context, Saifuddin coming in after a long gap and producing that innings was outstanding. Those two boundaries in a pressure moment were extremely important for us," he concluded

Continue Reading

Litton Das stars in Bangladesh's series-levelling win

Litton Das stars in Bangladesh's series-levelling win

The skipper hit a crucial half-century in the run chase as Bangladesh chased down 171 with two balls to spare ©AFP

A crucial half-century in the run chase from skipper Litton Das helped Bangladesh win the second T20I and claw back in the series on Saturday (November 29). Chasing 171 for victory, Bangladesh were coasting at one stage with Litton looking in great touch. His wicket gave Ireland an opening to claw back but the home side held their nerve and completed their third-highest successful T20I chase with two balls to spare.

Opting to bat, Ireland got off to a flier with Tim Tector and Paul Stirling scoring 27 from the first two overs. Stirling then took on Mohammad Saifuddin for 16 in his opening over before finally departing. Tim continued to make merry though as Ireland scored 75 in the powerplay to set the tone. From thereon, 200 should have been the target for the visitors but Bangladesh managed to stage a fightback.

Mahedi Hasan bagged the crucial wicket of Tim and then managed to remove Harry Tector in the same over to peg back the opposition. He struck again in his final over as well to finish with excellent figures of 3/25 and reduce Ireland to 103/4. That enabled Bangladesh to slip in some quiet overs as Ireland struggled for momentum. Eventually, they could only finish with 170 on the board following Lorcan Tucker's 41.

In reply, Bangladesh also got off to a positive start with Parvez Hossain taking charge. Tanzid Hasan couldn't get going but Litton and Parvez combined to smash 18 in the final over of the powerplay to power the hosts to 66/1 by the end of the sixth over. Parvez finally fell to a reverse sweep at the halfway mark and if not for a stroke of luck, Bangladesh could have lost Litton too in the following over when Gareth Delaney caught the skipper near the boundary only for the towel tucked behind to flick the cushion.

Adding to their frustration, Litton hit Delaney for a boundary in the very next over which was then followed by Saif Hassan clearing the ropes straight down the ground. Litton then nailed the slogsweep for another six to bring up his fifty and at this point, Bangladesh were firm favourites needing just 42 from the final five overs. However, with both set batters departing in the space of four deliveries, Ireland's hopes received a big boost. Ireland appeared to be in with a real chance when a run out pegged Bangladesh back further but Saifuddin smacked a couple of fours and a six to calm down the nerves as Bangladesh got the job done in nervy fashion in the final over.

Brief scores: Ireland 170/6 in 20 overs (Lorcan Tucker 41, Tim Tector 38; Mahedi Hasan 3/25) lost to Bangladesh 174/6 in 19.4 overs (Litton Das 57, Parvez Hossain 43; Gareth Delaney 2/28) by 4 wickets

Continue Reading

Towhid rues powerplay meltdown in Chattogram defeat

Towhid rues powerplay meltdown in Chattogram defeat

Hridoy anchored the chase with a career-best 83 off 50 balls but did not find enough support from the other end ©AFP

Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy said that lack of partnerships and loss of early wickets in the powerplay cost them in the three-match series opener against Ireland in Chattogram.

Ireland beat Bangladesh by 39 runs to take a 1-0 lead after the hosts stumbled while chasing 182, losing four wickets inside the first six overs - Litton Das, Tanzid Hassan, Parvez Hossain and Saif Hassan - and slipping to 20 for 4.

Hridoy, who anchored the innings with a career-best 83 off 50 balls, did not find enough support from the other end as the batting unit struggled to counter the disciplined Irish attack.

"The wicket is certainly very good. They played well and we couldn't perform well. There's no use blaming the wicket. We ourselves couldn't execute properly. We lost a few early wickets," Hridoy told reporters after the game.

"If we had managed a big partnership, the game might have been different. Ultimately, the game showed that we didn't score enough runs. Just one partnership, even when Zakir and I were batting. If we had a 70-80 run stand, maybe the scenario would have been different," he said.

"As I mentioned earlier, when Zakir and I had settled, our goal at that time was to take the game forward a bit more. That was our last pair, so it would have been easier for Rishad and Shakib. I believe they are both capable and they certainly bat well, both Shakib and Rishad. But if they had come a little later, perhaps when there were four or five overs left, the game might have been different," he said.

Hridoy said they need to adopt a more aggressive approach while chasing big totals and admitted they probably failed to execute what was required in the middle.

"I think, look, when there are 180+ runs on the board, you have to play shots. As I said just now, the execution perhaps wasn't done properly today. If our execution had been good early on, maybe it would have been different," he said.

"I think it is totally a mindset issue. It's not that we can't do it. We have done it, and we have chased 200 runs and won matches. If our mindset is right and if we can execute properly, I think it will not be that difficult. And it's not like we are chasing 200 or 180 runs every day. We have many players who are used to this. So, I hope we will overcome this, Insha'Allah, when we chase big scores," he said.

"We must have that belief in ourselves. And we all certainly want to perform. Maybe the execution is not happening, but ultimately, we have to take responsibility.

"We never think that our team has gone down. This is the T20 format. We are losing four consecutive matches, or one or two series, or three or four matches, it can happen. T20 is a game of momentum. We are losing, but when we start winning again from the next match, Insha'Allah, you will see it continue," he said.

Hridoy added that the team still backs the idea of chasing, especially with the dew factor in play.

"Look, we have been chasing very well recently. I don't think we have chased badly. If we don't do these things against the Ireland team, then against whom will we do them? Ultimately, then you will say that this team is... you will criticize many things. So, I think we chased very well, and the most important thing was the dew. The dew was a major factor here. It would be difficult for any team that comes here to win the toss and bowl," he said.

Meanwhile, Lorcan Tucker said they were happy to take the lead in the series and credited his teammates for checking all the boxes.

"I think it was a pretty comprehensive start for us in the series. Um, I think it started with the powerplay. We got off to a really positive start. I think today I opened at the top for the first time in a while, and we really showed some intent. I think that gives confidence going forward," Tucker said.

"I think our plan with batters these days is to just trust your instinct. I think if you feel like you're playing well and you catch a certain bowler and you slice it, just take on that opportunity. I think that happened a few times out there where there were a couple of big overs. I think that was batters just trusting that they knew what was going on," he said.

"Obviously the bowlers bowled extremely well in the powerplay and I think it really changed the game," he said, adding that Matthew Humphreys impressed.

"I think he (Humphreys) was really accurate. I think that's the main thing we said - it's a pitch for accurate bowling, and I think if you bowl well, you get the value for it. I think we saw all day that balls that were missed full generally went for a four or six, but I think he was really accurate in his lengths," he said.

"I think our bowlers struggled a bit in the second innings to keep the ball dry, and I think it affects our fielding as well," he added.

Continue Reading

Matthew Humphreys, Harry Tector fashion early lead for Ireland

Matthew Humphreys, Harry Tector fashion early lead for Ireland

Harry Tector made his highest T20I score of 69* ©BCB

Following a dismal Test series, where they went down to Bangladesh 2-0, Ireland made a positive start to the T20I series by claiming a 39-run win at Chattogram in the first of three T20Is. Harry Tector's 69 not-out helped Ireland post a formidable total before Matthew Humphreys' four-wicket haul held Bangladesh at bay despite Towhid Hridoy's fighting 83 not-out.

After being asked to bat first, Ireland's openers made a strong start and shared a 40-run stand. Paul Stirling struck Shoriful Islam for two fours in the first over while Tim Tector struck him for three boundaries in a row when he returned to bowl an 18-run third over. Stirling fell against the run of play in the fifth over after miscuing a pull shot against Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

The Tector brothers, Tim and Harry, combined to keep Ireland's momentum going. They struck a six and four of Rishad Hossain just after the PowerPlay but the leg-spinner would have his revenge as he dismissed Tim an over later. Harry continued to keep his foot on the pedal and was ably supported by Lorcan Tucker, Curtis Campher and George Dockrell. Ireland finished strong on 181/4 with Harry striking Tanzim for two sixes in the final over.

Bangladesh's start with the bat was in stark contrast to their opponents as they ended up losing four wickets inside the PowerPlay while managing just 20 runs. Humphreys inflicted damage early by dismissing Tanzid Hasan in the very first over. Skipper Liton Das fell in the next, while Parvez Hossain Emon and Saif Hassan failed to make a mark as well.

Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali kept Bangladesh's fight alive with the latter striking Gareth Delany for two sixes just before drinks. However, the rest of Bangladesh's order just crumbled after Jaker fell in the 12th over. Humphreys returned to bowl his final over in the 13th and accounted for three Bangladeshi batters ensuring that the hosts never recovered thereafter. Hridoy kept fighting but it was a lone battle. Bangladesh eventually finished on 142/9 in 20 overs.

Brief scores: Ireland 181/4 in 20 overs (Harry Tector 69*, Tim Tector 32; Tanzim Hasan Sakib 2-41) beat Bangladesh 142/9 in 20 overs (Towhid Hridoy 83*; Matthew Humphreys 4-13, Barry McCarthy 3-23) by 39 runs

Continue Reading