Unbeaten Tigers eye maiden multi-nation series trophy

Bangladesh`s captain Mashrafe Mortaza (C) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of West Indies` Sunil Ambris (not pictured) during the Tri-Nation Series, one day international between Bangladesh and West Indies Malahide cricket club, in Dublin on 13 May 2019. Photo: AFP
Bangladesh`s captain Mashrafe Mortaza (C) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of West Indies` Sunil Ambris (not pictured) during the Tri-Nation Series, one day international between Bangladesh and West Indies Malahide cricket club, in Dublin on 13 May 2019. Photo: AFP

Spirited Bangladesh will take on West Indies in the final of game of the ongoing Tri-Nation Series at the Village in Dublin, Ireland on Friday eying their maiden multi-nation cricket trophy.

The final match between the Caribbean and the Tigers will kick off at 3:45pm Bangladesh time.

Several private television channels, including state-owned BTV, will telecast the match live.

Bangladesh smartly reached the final of the Tri-Nation Series beating West Indies twice and hosts Ireland once and now time has come for the Tigers to overcome the last hurdle in the final to clinch their first-ever trophy in a multi-nation series.

During the last decade, Bangladesh played six finals but failed to clinch any of them.

They lost the first final against Sri Lanka in 2009 in Dhaka. After that, the Tigers lost Asia Cup finals on three occasions and finally lost the Nidahas Trophy Tri-Nation Series final in Sri Lanka last year.

However, former captain of Bangladesh team Khaled Mahmud believes that the Tigers are now at the peak time to win the final of a multi-nation event.

"It's always heartbreaking to lose a final. The pain is even more to lose a close game in the final. It was really unfortunate to lose a final against Pakistan just by two runs (in 2012 Asia Cup). I think we've learnt many things after that. And it's true that we're underdog during the previous finals but now, we're favourites in Ireland. We played like the favourites there, too. Luck is very important (to win a final). I hope we can win the luck with our skills in this final," Mahmud told reporters on Thursday at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

"Bangladesh should think their playing XI considering the condition and the wicket. Bangladesh may go with Miraz (Mehidy Hasan). We've played with four pacers in the last match. Before doing so in the final, we have to think more," Mahmud also added.

In the last two games against the Caribbean boys, Bangladesh chased 261 and 247 comfortably. Soumya Sarkar hit fifties in both of the occasions. He will also be one of the most important weapons of the Tigers in the final.

Bangladesh might miss the service of Shakib Al Hasan, who is now under observation of 24 hours due to a suspected side strain. Bangladesh team manager Minhazul Abedin said they are not to comment about Shakib's availability before his observation has ended.

In the previous game against Ireland, Shakib left the field after 36th over due to pain on his back. Before that, he hit a fifty off 51 balls. If Shakib fails to make it to the final, it may a tough task for the Tigers to fill up his gap.

Bangladesh can make several changes in the final. Soumya Sarkar, who missed the last game, might come back in the place of Liton Das who, however, hit a fifty in the last match. Along with Soumya, Mustafizur Rahman can also be back to the playing XI to replace Rubel Hossain who failed to impress in the last game.

If Shakib misses the final, Mehidy Hasan, who missed the last game, might come back to replace him. At the same time, Mohammad Mithun might also be included in the place of Mosaddek Hossain Saikat.

Bangladesh probable XI
Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan/Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mhamudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed Rahi.