Still a lot to play for

The Bangladesh cricket team have one more tilt at New Zealand in the tri-series in Dublin on May 24 to get some valuable confidence ahead of the Champions Trophy starting in England and Wales on June 1.

A win over New Zealand will take the Tigers to 93 ranking points, equal with Sri Lanka in sixth place.

Bangladesh, who are in second spot on the three-team table after their clinical win over Ireland at the Clontarf Cricket Club Friday, had a rest day on Saturday and focused on gym work yesterday morning. As the league table stands, with New Zealand winning their third successive match of the league by defeating Ireland yesterday, Bangladesh have no chance of topping the table even if they beat the Kiwis on Wednesday.

Apart from the rankings incentive, a win over the Kiwis will give them added confidence especially as they will face New Zealand in a tough Champions Trophy Group which also features England and Australia. They seem well-placed to do it as in the win against Ireland, their batting and bowling clicked -- with Mustafizur Rahman returning to his wily best with a four-wicket haul.

The team will practise at the Malahide Cricket Club from 10:00am to 1:00pm local time today.