We have to play hard to win: Mashrafe

Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was looking at the triangular series, which opens in Dublin tomorrow with the first ODI against Ireland, as an opportunity to build on their recent upswing in away performances and a chance to gather confidence ahead of the eight-team Champions Trophy in England next month.

The team arrived in Dublin, where the tournament also involving New Zealand will be held between May 12 and May 24, in the afternoon from Belfast. Mashrafe will not play tomorrow’s game as he will be serving out a one-match suspension for a slow over rate picked up during the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on April 1.

"Of course it is a very important tournament for us," said Mashrafe while speaking to the media before the team's practice session at the Malahide Cricket Club Ground in Dublin. "In the last two, two and a half years, we have played very well in Bangladesh. At the same time, we have played well on the Sri Lanka tour -- we won a Test, ODI and T20I there. It is very important -- if we do well here it will help us in the Champions Trophy."

That Sri Lanka tour in March-April this year was a turning point of sorts as Bangladesh came away with a share of each series played there – an unprecedented feat against a higher-ranked side. Before that, however, they had endured a winless tour of New Zealand and a loss in the one-off Test in India.

Read more: Tri-series can take Tigers to sixth

So far on the tour of England and Ireland, it seems that they have been following on from their Sri Lanka form. In three practice matches so far -- two in Sussex and one in Belfast -- Bangladesh have racked up three successive 300-plus scores. The most recent one -- against Ireland A on Wednesday -- saw them score 394 runs.  

When asked what the biggest challenge facing the home side in tomorrow’s opener will be, Mashrafe spoke about the need to play tough cricket to come out on top.

“It’s a big challenge. Playing at home is always relaxing, but when you go overseas it is always a challenge for any team, not just Bangladesh. Ireland is doing really well. They know how to play in their condition. So it’s going to be hard. We will have to play hard and our best to win that game.”

Another challenge on tour will be adjusting to weather and conditions markedly different from Bangladesh, and that is where the long lead-in to the tri-series, and eventually to the Champions Trophy, will help.  

“We came to England almost 15 days ago. The preparation we had was pretty good. The important thing is that the players are all fit and they have adjusted as much as possible to the weather. It is a bit difficult because when we came to England, it was a little cold,” Mashrafe said. “But now the weather is good and if it remains this way it will be good. Each of the 18 players who are here have prepared well, so I hope we will do well.”