The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Spirited Bangladesh led by Mohammad Ashraful will take on Ireland today in the second ODI of the three-match ODI series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Earlier, Bangladesh vanquished Ireland by eight wickets in the first ODI at the same venue on March 18.

It may be mentioned that Bangladesh tasted a 74-run defeat by Ireland in their first encounter in the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 in the West Indies.

After registering the comprehensive eight-wicket victory, Mohammad Ashraful, the skipper of Bangladesh team, said that he was happy as it was the first win after the victory in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. Ashraful added that he believed that the team could win if they could stay at the wicket.

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the vice-captain of the team, who was adjudged the man of the match in the previous match said, "Victory is more joyous rather than becoming the man of the match."

On the other hand, Trent Johnson, the skipper of Ireland, said that the weather of the city was their problem to show their actual performance. Johnson added that if they could adopt to the weather, they could come back in the series.