Ireland will struggle against Bangladesh: Shakib

Skipper Shakib Al Hasan expects Bangladesh's arsenal of spin bowlers and experience in the local conditions to give the World Cup co-host a big advantage in today's (Friday's) Group B match against Ireland, reports AP. Shakib remained wary of the potential threat posed by Ireland, which made a surprising run to the second round at the last World Cup, but predicted the Irish would struggle in Dhaka. Recalling the previous home series against Ireland in 2008, when Bangladesh beat Ireland in all three matches at Mirpur, Shakib said it could happen again. "When they played last time here, they could not handle our spin," he told reporters in Dhaka. "When they played in Mirpur, we beat them, so that's our advantage, and I don't think they like to play in these conditions," he said. Bangladesh, which lost the tournament's opening match to fellow co-host India at Dhaka last Saturday, badly needs a win to keep alive its hopes of reaching the quarterfinals. "This is a must-win situation for us," he said. "If we don't win tomorrow, it will not be easy to qualify for the quarterfinals." However, he knew the task against the Irish would not be a simple one. "They have been playing good cricket. it will be a difficult game for us. But hopefully we will stick to our game plan and do the right thing, and the result will be on our side," he said. Shakib recognized that Ireland was a "very good side" with English county players who "have experience of dealing with pressure. It's not going to be an easy game for us." Bangladesh is a test-playing nation while Ireland is an ICC Associate country. However, Bangladesh is just one place above Ireland in the one-day international rankings and the Irish beat Bangladesh in both the 2007 World Cup and the World Twenty20 in 2009. Shakib indicated there could be some changes in his XI for Friday, but said the decision had not been finalized yet-particularly after pace bowler Shafiul Islam picked up an injury on Wednesday during practice. "Shafiul is not hundred percent fit today and we will have a look at him tomorrow," he said. "Then we will decide our team."