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Waqar Younis has resigned as Pakistan’s coach three months before his contract was going to end, and only one day after Shahid Afridi relinquished his T20 captaincy

Umar Farooq04-Apr-2016Waqar Younis has resigned as Pakistan’s coach three months before his contract was going to end, and only one day after Shahid Afridi relinquished his T20 captaincy. Waqar took the decision after meeting PCB officials in Lahore.The two resignations came after Pakistan’s disappointing performances in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh and the World T20 in India. Pakistan won only three games out of the eight they played across the two tournaments and failed to make it beyond the first round. The last series Pakistan won in any format was last October, when they beat England 2-0 in a three-Test series in the UAE. After that, Pakistan lost the ODI and T20 series to England, and then traveled to New Zealand to again lose the T20 and ODI series. They won only two of the 12 limited-overs matches they played in all against England and New Zealand. Pakistan are currently ranked a respectable fourth in Tests, but eighth in ODIs and seventh in T20Is in the ICC rankings.”It’s time to go,” Waqar said. “With disappointment and pain I would like to inform that I decide to resign as the Pakistan coach. In last 19 months of my job I was completely honest and didn’t leave any stone unturned to help the team achieve the best but unfortunately we couldn’t get the results.”It was slightly unfair by the board the way the whole case had been handled as my report was leaked and none of the board officials tried to talk about all this. But in all this, I do not want all of you, including ex-cricketers, to forget my services to Pakistan cricket.”Waqar had recently presented a scathing report, after Pakistan’s exit from the World T20, in which he criticised the PCB’s decision of not giving him a say in the selection process and lambasted Afridi’s style of captaincy. The report was an overview of his two-year term as coach and was submitted to the PCB chairman Shahryar Khan and to the board’s fact-finding committee. The PCB later announced on Monday, among several other measures, that a panel comprising Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja would assist the board in finding a new coach.A day before submitting that report, Waqar had offered to step down but had said cosmetic changes would be insufficient to solve the deeper issues in Pakistan cricket.”I am stepping aside with with a heavy heart, and what can I say, the present circumstances aren’t good in PCB,” Waqar said on Monday. “They were looking to make me a scapegoat so it was important for me that I should go with respect.”It was Waqar’s second tenure as coach after he was appointed in May 2014 for a two-year contract that was due to end on June 30 before the tour of England. By stepping down at this juncture, Waqar will forgo three months’ salary; he advised the board to invest that money in domestic cricket.”I am being portrayed as the villain,” he said. “Whatever I said in past five days wasn’t a lie. I want Pakistan cricket in good shape and hence gave recommendations which are already out in public. I hope my suggestions will help the upcoming coach if they are rightly understood for the betterment of Pakistan cricket.”I had three months remaining in my contract and some Rs 50-60 lakh with PCB but I told them to invest them in domestic cricket where it is actually needed. Players there at the first-class level are being underprepared. Until you don’t invest at the right place you will not get the right players to the top level. If money isn’t invested then I am afraid after next five-six years someone else will be standing here and cursing PCB and the system.”

USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner says Gio Reyna has "grown up a ton" since his fallout with Gregg Berhalter at the 2022 World Cup.

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• Turner hailed Reyna's signing
• Joined Nottingham Forest on loan from Dortmund
• Says he has matured a lot

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Nottingham Forest goalkeeper hailed his club's decision to sign compatriot Reyna on loan from Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window as he feels that the youngster could prove to be a real "asset". He also claimed that the 21-year-old winger has grown as an individual since his fallout with national team coach Gregg Berhalter during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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• WHAT MATT TURNER SAID

  Speaking to , Turner said: "He's grown up a ton right before my eyes. The best compliment I can give him is that right now I see a consistent approach for him every single day. He wants to be on the ball and he wants to make an impact on the game with the ball at his feet. I can see him being a really strong asset."

  The USMNT shot-stopper added: "Our coach's message has been to play a bit more, and Gio's that type of player. Once he establishes a better connection with some of the players and gets more familiar with their movements and how they want the ball, I can see him being a really strong asset."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The youngster missed several matches for Dortmund in the first half of the season due to injuries and had managed to clock just 360 minutes on the pitch for the German club. If he can adapt to the conditions in England, he could be a big help to Forest, who are currently just two points above the relegation zone.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST?

  Nuno Espirito Santo's side will be next seen in action on Wednesday as they take on Bristol City in a FA Cup fourth-round replay, but Reyna is ineligible to play because he wasn't registered in time to feature in the competition.

The Ashes memories just keep on coming as two more DVDs arrive for your viewing pleasure

Edward Craig28-Jan-2007

Another Christmas, another Ashes series and
yet another Phil Tufnell DVD. Here, Phil, with an
old twist to an old theme, trades on his loveable
rogue image to string together another series of
cricket clips, linked with toe-curling one-liners
and limp explanation from the ex-king of the
jungle.This seems little different to Tufnell’s efforts
last year, except he wanders round quirky
locations at Lord’s and The Oval as opposed to
quirky locations at Arundel and the Rose Bowl
(increase in budgets, no doubt) introducing
clips of Ashes Geezers (Botham), Gaffes (England
in 1989) and Greats (Keith Miller).In theory, this could make for an interesting
retrospective, and some of the clips are
magnificent – Harold Larwood’s bowling action,
Gooch batting at The Oval in 1985 – but you
could watch this footage through goggles filled
with ink and still enjoy them. Cutting them
together with an irritating soundtrack and an
irritating script only diminishes their value.That said, Tufnell is one of the better things
about the DVD. You know what he’s going to
do, how he’s going to do it, you can see the
jokes coming and, although it can be painful, he
does it pretty well – he’s natural and energetic
but needs a better writer. Throw in some
horrendous editing and an awful “chat” with
TMS commentator Henry Blofeld (he’s on radio
for a reason), you’ll do well to reach the end.

This is not an easy time for English people to
view an Ashes DVD. The past seems very similar
to the present. Australian victories, like a Steve
Harmison over, just go on and on.Our famous guides, Ian Botham and Allan
Border, do their best, but Shakespearean
narrators they ain’t. In between Tests they face
each other across the table and dissect. “And
Australia went on their merry way,” says AB
several times. Beefy nods and scratches the
side of his nose in preparation for remembering
another ad-lib.But what they describe is magnificent
– lots and lots of great cricket. They begin on
Illingworth’s 70-71 tour and the clips just keep
rolling. John Snow getting menaced by the
world’s oldest hooligan. Lillee and Thomson;
Tony Greig hitting, then signalling, a four. Colin
Cowdrey, aged 42, with no need for a chest
protector, getting one on the elbow.There are little moments of beauty too.
Those Gower cover drives. How could a
man stand so still when the ball was about
to be delivered? And on disc two, enjoy
the wicketkeeping of Ian Healy below, the
best Australia has had. Speaking of brilliant
Australians, there’s nothing like a Benaud bon
mot. Bill Lawry, on the other hand, with 30 years
in the comm box on his CV, may never know
whether a swipe to the boundary will become
a four or a six.If you’re English, the fast forward button may be useful on disc two. A decade-and-a-half of Australian skill and English ineptitude. If only we’d known in 1989, when disc one shows Kim Barnett getting slogged to all parts by Merv Hughes, that – 2005 excepted – Australia would
just keep going on their merry way.

This is Australian sporting nirvana. Amazing Adelaide records the critical second Test of the 2006-07 Ashes at the Adelaide Oval, in which the hosts were 15-1 to win on the final morning… and went on to win. Each of the five days’ play, plus the post-match celebrations, have been put into one 115-minute highlight reel. The DVD, hosted by Michael Slater and Richie Benaud, is a compilation taken from Channel 9’s excellent coverage over the Australian summer.Features are few; there is no 5.1 stereo available for proper effect. There is only the one menu to navigate, though, and the image is represented well on any HD television or projector. A great gift and not to mention lesson. England should be sat down and made to watch the highlights again and again to learn just why it’s important to play the full five days out – and play them with total concentration.

Everton are reportedly facing the threat of administration and a second points deduction, with 777Partners' proposed takeover of the club delayed.

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• Over £100m loaned to Everton by 777Partners
• Not willing to keeping funding club in New Year if takeover is not completed
• PL finding due diligence checks 'challenging'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to the Everton's prospective buyers, 777Partners, have been informed by the Premier League that their takeover is unlikely to be approved before the end of the year. This has raised fears that Everton may enter administration next month. The American private equity firm has provided Everton with over £100 million in loans for operating costs since reaching an agreement to buy the club from Farhad Moshiri in September, but are not willing to continue pumping in funds at Goodison Park if the takeover process is not completed by the end of the year. Everton need an additional £20 million per month for staff wages and operating costs, which is beyond the scope of their fixed income. The club faces insolvency without 777's funding, potentially leading to administration and a further nine-point deduction on top of the 10 points that have already been docked.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The convoluted labyrinth of 777's finances and corporate structure, which shelters over 60 companies in several sectors under their control, including insurance, aviation, and sport, is posing challenges for the Premier League in their assessment. The English top-flight is doing the arduous job of establishing the source and sufficiency of 777's funds, while also examining legal cases that have been filed against the companies in the United States.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  adds that Premier League are reluctant to punish Everton with a second deduction of points, as it would send the Toffees plunging back into the relegation zone. However, they won't be pressured into rushing the due diligence process either, as they believe that the job at hand is complex and requires patient handling.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The report also mentions that 777 have not yet been given any potential timeline about when the Premier League could be ready with their decision. However, Everton officials are coordinating with both 777 and the Premier League to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

  Despite the off-the-pitch turmoil, Sean Dyche has ensured that his men remain focused on their job on the pitch. Everton have won four of their last five league matches and are currently 17th in the standings with 13 points from 16 matches, with a crucial clash against fellow strugglers Burnley up next on Saturday.

Wrexham striker Paul Mullin has lifted the lid on the squad's post-season trip to Las Vegas and how events weren't how they appeared in the tabloids.

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• Newspapers published shots from misleading angles
• Striker amazed by tabloid interest
• Squad discussed effect on partners

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The team were treated to a four-day trip to Sin City by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney after clinching a historic return to the Football League after 15 years in the fifth tier. But there was a slight dampener on proceedings when photos appeared in the UK press appearing to show the squad partying with bikini-clad women.

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  WHAT PAUL MULLIN SAID

  Writing in his autobiography, Mullin explained: "That day we were off to another pool party, this time at the Marquee club. Initially the atmosphere was subdued. The had published a bunch of photos of the previous day’s pool party with a load of bikini-clad girls in the background.

  "There was nothing in any of it. Places like that obviously bring in girls as a way of promoting themselves. We hadn’t even spoken to them. There were other pictures of us messing about, throwing each other in the pool, stuff like that. We were just enjoying ourselves – a bunch of players celebrating a mad year – but somehow the pictures made it look like we were really pissed up and getting a bit out of hand.

  "We weren’t naive. We knew there’d be papers trying to get pictures, trying to catch us out, although it’s crazy when you think about it. We were a team from the National League celebrating promotion, not One Direction on a world tour.

  "The tabloid press is notorious but I’ll never understand an attitude where someone from a newspaper wants to create problems that don’t exist. We actually talked about it – how the girls in our lives had never signed up for any of the attention that follows us around. It must be so hard for them at times. OK, maybe when they got with a footballer they might have expected us to get somewhere one day, but not to have to see nonsense like that.

  "They didn’t think they’d be opening a newspaper and seeing their partners’ faces on a double-page spread of ‘exclusive’ pictures from a pool party in Las Vegas with all the suggestion that contained."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  If they didn't already know it, the Wrexham squad learned that life under Hollywood ownership had brought an entirely new level of exposure. But, as Mullin reveals, the dressing room at the Racecourse Ground seems to have its feet on the ground and well able to handle the less savoury elements of the club's remarkable rise.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Despite the unwanted long lenses of the tabloid press, the squad would love to do it all again next summer if they could clinch a second-consecutive promotion in what is shaping up to be quite the promotion battle in League Two as the crucial festive fixture period begins.

  Buy your copy of Paul Mullin's brilliant new autobiography My Wrexham Story on Amazon.

The fast bowler called the verdict the “worst” decision, after the Kerala High Court ruled that the BCCI’s ban cannot be overturned or reduced

Nagraj Gollapudi18-Oct-20171:38

Sreesanth’s ban: a timeline

Sreesanth’s attempt to seek court intervention to lift the life ban imposed on him by the BCCI, for his alleged involvement in the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, has failed. A division bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday ruled that the BCCI ban cannot be overturned or reduced, thereby negating a judgement issued by the same court in August, which had asked the board to lift the ban.In a series of tweets after the judgement was made public, Sreesanth called Tuesday’s verdict “the worst decision ever”, and said he would continue to challenge the ban. Sreesanth and two other Rajasthan Royals bowlers – Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila – were given life bans for their alleged involvement in the 2013 corruption and spot-fixing scandal in the IPL.In August, Justice A Muhamed Mustaque of the Kerala High Court, had accepted Sreesanth’s writ petition, filed in February, and told the told the BCCI it had no “incriminating evidence” and hence the ban should be “quashed”.In his petition, Sreesanth told the court that in 2015, a trial court had dropped the criminal charges filed against him by the Delhi Police and hence the BCCI, too, should lift the ban. Sreesanth was among 42 individuals chargesheeted by the Delhi Police under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).Last month, the BCCI challenged Justice Mustaque’s order, saying the criminal proceedings established by the Delhi Police had no bearing on its own investigation, which had been carried out by Ravi Sawani who was chief of the board’s anti-corruption unit at the time. Sawani had prepared two reports – preliminary and supplementary – having questioned Sreesanth in person and having taken a written undertaking from the player.In its petition, the BCCI also asked whether a writ court could “sit in appeal” and “alter the quantum of penalty imposed” against the findings of the board’s disciplinary committee. A writ is an application filed in the court asking it to enforce some right against an authority or against an order against which there is no statutory remedy.The BCCI said that its decision was in “accordance” with the principles of natural justice and asked the court to decide whether Justice Mustaque’s order was “contrary to law and to principles of justice, equity and good conscience and ought to be set aside?”On Tuesday, in an oral order, a two-judge division bench, comprising Justices Navaniti Prasad Singh and Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan, ruled that a writ court could only scrutinise if the BCCI’s investigation process was fair, but could not challenge the merits of the punishment. The writ court, the division bench pointed out, could not overstep its brief and become an “appellate” power over BCCI; doing so would be “exceeding the limits of judicial review”.The division bench also rejected Sreesanth’s argument that he had been denied natural justice. It said Sreesanth had actually violated the BCCI’s anti-corruption code, having failed to inform the anti-corruption unit about the illegal activities despite receiving education from the ACU. The division bench also agreed with the BCCI that the decision of the Delhi trial court could not be equated to the life ban as desired by Sreesanth.Sreesanth expressed strong resentment towards the court order immediately after the judgement was made public and questioned why he was being singled out when the BCCI had allowed Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals – the two IPL franchises suspended following the 2013 scandal – to return to the fold. “Special rule for me? what about real culprits? What about chennai super kings ? And what about Rajasthan?” he tweeted.

Derbyshire ended a run of three consecutive defeats in the County Championship as their Division Two match against Leicestershire at Derby ended in a tame draw

ECB Reporters Network28-May-2017
ScorecardPaul Horton scored a half-century as Leicestershire batted on•Getty Images

Derbyshire ended a run of three consecutive defeats in the County Championship as their Division Two match against Leicestershire at Derby ended in a tame draw.Leicestershire batted on in their second innings for 57 overs before declaring on 217 for 3, which included half centuries for openers Paul Horton and Harry Dearden. A target of 304 in 33 overs was never realistic and the inevitable draw was agreed with Derbyshire 42 without loss from 10 overs.There was always a chance the game would end in stalemate on such a lifeless pitch but the day began promisingly for Leicestershire, who took the last two Derbyshire wickets in 11 balls. Clint McKay struck with the third delivery of the day, which moved away just enough to take the edge of Rob Hemmings bat, and Tony Palladino gloved a pull to give Zak Chappell his fourth wicket.A lead of 86 was increased to 183 at lunch by Horton and Dearden, although Horton was given a life on 8 when he was dropped at first slip by Wayne Madsen off Tom Taylor.Horton completed his first fifty of the season before he was caught behind off Taylor and Dearden fell to a stunning piece of fielding by Billy Godleman, who threw the ball up at long-on to avoid taking it over the rope before completing the catch.He took a more straightforward one to dismiss Mark Cosgrove and give Jeevan Mendis his eighth wicket in the game but the Sri Lankan’s match figures of 8 for 283 were the most expensive in Derbyshire’s history.The game almost ground to a halt after Cosgrove’s departure with Colin Ackermann and Ned Eckersley scoring only 43 runs in 13 overs while Derbyshire slowed down the over rate.Leicestershire finally declared three overs after tea leaving Derbyshire to score at more than nine an over to pull off what would have been an astonishing victory and the players shook hands with 23 overs still to bowl.

Love Island star Arabella Chi has branded her relationship with Ruben Dias a “mistake” following a sudden split from the Manchester City defender.

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• Pair started dating in September 2023
• Broke up after New Year vacation
• Heading in different directions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The pair jetted off on a New Year break together, as they were last spotted heading to Portugal on January 1, but a parting of ways was confirmed shortly after. Dias and Chi had been a couple since September 2023, having met through mutual friends, and kept their relationship hidden for several weeks before being spotted together in Paris at the Eiffel Tower.

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  WHAT CHI SAID ABOUT DIAS

  Chi is still coming terms with that separation, and has told of finding herself back in the dating game: “Last year was probably my unluckiest when it came to finding the one. I’ve been so unlucky in love. I’ve dated people I thought at the time were the one, which was a mistake I’ve since learnt from.”

• THE GOSSIP

  She added, as friends claim that the 32-year-old model was left “totally blindsided” by her dumping from Dias: “What I’ve learnt from dating last year is that you think you know someone but you don’t really know them at all. I dated people that perhaps, looking back, weren’t best suited to me.”

  She went on to say of returning to television screens in the Love Islands All Stars show: “I might have recently come out of a relationship but I’m ready to meet the man of my dreams. I don’t think there has ever been a better time after the dating mistakes I made last year.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Following his split from Chi, Dias is now focused on footballing matters in Manchester. City have been enjoying a winter break on the back of their thrilling 3-2 victory over Newcastle, but will return to action on Friday when facing Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round.

Prices to watch Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi in action continue to soar, but Don Garber has explained why MLS will not change its ways.

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• Argentine superstar chasing American dream
• Made immediate impact on and off the pitch
• Teams charging more to see all-time great

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Elite level competition in the United States now has a new superstar on show, with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi deciding to go chasing the American dream in 2023. He has made an immediate impact in Florida on and off the field, with A-list guests and neutral supporters clamouring to catch a glimpse of the all-time great.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Inter Miami have raised their season card prices for 2024 – and have still sold out – while Columbus Crew have announced that single-ticket prices for Messi’s visit next season will start at nearly $400 and the New York Red Bulls have released a ticket package that does not include a meeting with rivals from the Sunshine State.

• WHAT GARBER SAID ABOUT MLS

  MLS commissioner Garber has no issue with the pricing plans being put in place, telling reporters when asked about why supporters are being asked to dig so deep in order to watch Messi take to the field: “In our business, the concept of selling mini-packs that have certain teams that a home fan might want to see and pricing those differently — that variable pricing is a part of pro sports. Every other league does it, so I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be appropriate for Major League Soccer to do that. As to whether or not fans are being priced out of experiencing a Lionel Messi game, I don’t believe that’s true. In the actual market where teams play, teams are selling tickets and those tickets are still reasonable. We can’t control what happens on the secondary market. And as you know, the secondary market pricing has been very high. I think it speaks to the unique experience of watching Lionel Messi live. But I know that our tickets are among the most affordable in all of professional sports, and I’m pretty proud of that.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

  Messi inspired Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival in the States and will be back to chase down more major honours in 2024 – with pre-season friendly dates against El Salvador and a Hong Kong Select XI already being lined up.

Bangladesh begin their final preparations for the Champions Trophy by facing an Ireland side hoping to build on an improved performance in the second ODI against England

Preview by Mohammad Isam11-May-2017

Match facts

May 12, 2017
Start time 10.45am local (0945 GMT)William Porterfield will hope his team continue the improvement they showed at Lord’s•Getty Images

Big picture

The last time Bangladesh and Ireland met in an ODI, the stadium vibrated to the tune of a 25,000-plus crowd trying hard to back their faltering home team. It was during the 2011 World Cup when the Bangladesh team truly captured the emotions of 140 million people. Despite making 205 batting first, they managed to beat Ireland by 27 runs and kick-start their home World Cup campaign that was shaken by India in the first game.More than six years on, and they are two teams at very different stages of their development. Bangladesh have been No. 7 in the ICC ODI rankings since 2015, after ODI series wins over Pakistan, India and South Africa that year. They progressed further in the 2016-17 season with Test and ODI wins over England and Sri Lanka.Bangladesh are now breathing down Sri Lanka’s neck in the ranking table and if they can beat Ireland twice and New Zealand at least once during this tri-series, they will enter this year’s Champions Trophy as the No. 6 team in the table. Even three years ago, such a stature was a pipedream.Under Mashrafe Mortaza – who will miss the opening match due to an over-rate suspension – Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and coach Chandika Hathurusingha, Bangladesh have put together a really strong line-up that is a blend of experience and skilful youth. The likes of Mustafizur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain are tipped as the leaders of Bangladesh’s future.During the same period Ireland won 23 out of 60 ODIs, once each against England and West Indies. They have lost their standing as the leading Associate nation to Afghanistan in recent times, but are in line to gain Test status in June.Similar to Bangladesh, Ireland have a core group of players who have now topped 50 ODIs. Ed Joyce, William Porterfield, Paul Stirling and Kevin and Niall O’Brien have the experience required to help nurture a team through a rebuilding phase. The addition of Tim Murtagh has been helpful while the left-arm spinner George Dockrell remains an important cog in their wheel although question marks remain over the new talent coming through.Bangladesh will be under pressure to beat a lower-ranked side while Ireland will hope that home conditions give them a chance to build some confidence.

Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)Ireland LLLWW
Bangladesh LWLLL

In the spotlight

Ed Joyce hasn’t hit a 50 in his last five ODI innings, but Ireland will keep relying on the experienced top-order batsman, particularly against a tricky bowling line-up. He also would like to improve on his sub-par performance in ODIs in Malahide.Sabbir Rahman warmed up well against Ireland A, hitting an 86-ball 100. He is steadily establishing himself at No. 3 in Bangladesh’s ODI batting line-up, with stiff competition always around the corner. Sabbir will want to start off well against Ireland, to cement himself in the top-order.

Team news

Using more pace bowlers is usually what home teams do against Bangladesh, and Ireland should try a similar plan. As a result, the likes of Stuart Thompson and Craig Young could be considered alongside Tim Murtagh, Barry McCarthy and Peter Chase – the latter two having impressed in the recent ODIs against England. Newcomer Simi Singh may have to wait for his chance for an ODI debut.Ireland (probable) 1 Ed Joyce, 2 Paul Stirling, 3 William Porterfield (capt) 4 Andy Balbirnie, 5 Niall O’Brien (wk), 6 Gary Wilson, 7 Kevin O’Brien, 8 George Dockrell, 9 Barry McCarthy, 10 Tim Murtagh, 11 Peter ChaseBangladesh are likely to pick their successful batting line-up that has Mahmudullah at No. 7 with Mosaddek Hossain earning a promotion into the top five. Mashrafe Mortaza is suspended for the match due to an over-rate penalty. Shakib Al Hasan will captain.Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Sabbir Rahman, 4 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 5 Mosaddek Hossain, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mehedi Hasan, 9 Shafiul Islam, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Pitch and conditions

Teams batting first in the last three ODIs at the Malahide ground made in excess of 300 runs, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka piling up 337 and 377 in the last two games. Runs may not be quite as easy to come by in relatively early-season conditions. There’s some chance of rain in the Malahide area which may influence the side winning the toss.

Stats and trivia

• Tamim Iqbal is Bangladesh’s highest run-getter against Associate nations, having made 737 runs in 18 ODIs. Mashrafe Mortaza is the highest wicket-taker against these opponents, with 43 wickets from 25 games.
• Six members each from the Bangladesh and Ireland squad played in the two teams’ last encounter in 2011.
• Kevin O’Brien needs three wickets to become the first Ireland bowler to claim 100 in ODIs.