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Prepare yourselves for a clash of green at Stormont on the 18th, 20th and 21st of July when Ireland host their first Twenty20 Internationals at home in the RSA Twenty20 International Series.
Prepare yourselves for a clash of green at Stormont on the 18th, 20th and 21st of July when Ireland host first Twenty20 Internationals at home in the RSA Twenty20 International Series. Expect an extravaganza of big hits and shattered stumps alike when these two sides battle it out as they prepare for the much anticipated ICC World T20 tournament which will be held in Sri Lanka during the months of September and October.

The only other time these sides met in the shortest format of the game was during the 2009 ICC World T20, where Ireland managed to chase down The Tigers’ score of 137 with 6 wickets left and ten balls to spare, courtesy of a classy 40 off 25 deliveries by Niall O’Brien, and a blistering 39 that took just 17 balls by his brother Kevin. In the eight times the sides have encountered each other since 2007, Bangladesh have secured five wins while the hosts have won three.

Ireland will play their first set of T20 Internationals since their successful campaign in the U.A.E in March, where they were crowned champions of the ICC World T20 Qualifying event. Ireland’s batting will rely to a large extent on Paul Stirling, who’s greatest T20I innings was his 17 ball half century against Afghanistan during the explosive World T20 Qualifier final. If he fires, Ireland can expect a well sized total. Ireland will also depend in particular, on the batting of Vice Captain Kevin O’ Brien and wicket-keeper Gary Wilson, the latter has had an admirable T20 season for Surrey scoring a polished 182 runs from just 3 innings including 2 half centuries. Ireland does not lack in the bowling department either- with an array of bowlers to choose from including Trent Johnston, who’s currently ranked 16th in the ICC’s T20 bowling rankings, and Middlesex’s seamer Tim Murtagh. 6ft 7in fast bowler Boyd Rankin – who has been out since the start of April due to injury- makes a return to the squad in time for the tour, and these pace bowlers will combine with the spin of George Dockrell and Paul Stirling to leave Ireland with an array of bowling options.

The ever improving Bangladesh enter Europe with a strict mindset- to win all their games on the tour to gain themselves a strong position on the ICC’s T20 ranking board. Bangladesh’s last T20 series was a tri series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, where Bangladesh proceeded to win two of their four games leaving all three nations with tied points, whilst missing out on the final due to a lower net run rate than the other two teams. However with the return of the world’s top all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan to the squad, the visitors enter Ireland brimming with confidence. Bangladesh relies heavily on a well-rounded bowling attack- Left arm spinner Abdur Razzak can cause severe problems for any team, especially in shorter formats of the game. His ability to remain economical, whilst picking up a few wickets along the way, and his adaptability to different conditions makes him a powerful weapon in the Tigers’ arsenal. Bangladesh’s batting lineup is given a strong boost by wicket-keeper batsman and Captain Mushfiqur Rahim who enters the crease at no.4. Rahim’s Versatility- his ability to play a quick innings during the death overs or bat at the crease with a healthy strike rate makes him a game changer for the visitors. Mohammad Ashraful has also proven himself to be a good opener for the shorter format of the game, scoring the most runs for Bangladesh in their previous tri-series.

The Bangladeshi captain is just 23 years old but had this to say “While we don’t have a good record playing against Ireland abroad, we are a stronger side now, since we have played together for quite a number of years,” said the wicketkeeper batsman. “Our target will be to win the series, stay balanced and consistent ahead of the (T20) World Cup, and stay confident”.

The Stormont ground in Belfast offers a good wicket for seamers, often giving the ball extra movement- which acts as a benefit for Ireland’s seam heavy bowling attack. Whilst not always providing as much support for the spinners, which could affect Bangladesh’s spin packed bowling lineup, certain conditions could offer some turn on the ball making the guests’ bowling roster more effective. Batting at Stormont is not always easy, teams will be required to bat out the twenty overs carefully while keeping the scoreboard ticking- something the Bangladeshi side has shown they are adept at- however, a quick outfield also ensures that the big hitters will also enjoy themselves if they can time the ball correctly.

Ireland will be determined to show the rest of the world that they can continue to claim full member scalps whilst a newly improved Bangladeshi side will be keen to show that they’ve reached a higher standard of cricket, and improve their previously poor record in Europe. Both sides are equally determined to emerge victorious, and as long as the rain stays away, the series promises to be an extremely exciting set of clashes that could go either way.

Ajay Jonathan Gnanam is a young journalist from Sri Lanka whose work has appeared on Cricinfo

Tickets are still available for all 3 matches from Ticketmaster and tickets will also be available on the gate on the night – There will be no parking available for Wednesday and Friday’s matches.

Jonathan Gnanam
Ireland will be hoping for more celebrations this week
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