Where: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Bangladesh
When: Friday February 25, 14:30 local, 08:30 GMT, 19:30 AEDT, 21:30 NZDT
ODI Head to Head: Played: 6, Wins: Bangladesh 4, Ireland 2
Last meeting: : July 16, 2010 Ireland 9-189 (46 ov) lost to Bangladesh 4-191 (37.4 ov) by six wickets in Belfast
World Cup Head to Head: : Played: 1, Wins: Bangladesh: 0, Ireland 1
Selection Table: :
Likely Bangladesh team: Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Shakib Al Hasan Mushfiqur Rahim, Raqibul Hasan, Mahmudullah, Suhrawadi Shuvo, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain
With part-time off spinner Naeem Islam being carted for 54 off his seven overs - and being dismissed for just two - in the opening match against India, Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons could be tempted to replace him with Suhrawadi Shuvo. With his bowling attack giving up 370 runs in their 87-run loss to the Indians, Siddons will be hoping for a more controlled display.
Likely Ireland team: William Porterfield, Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien, Andre Botha, Kevin O'Brien, Alex Cusack, Trent Johnston, Andrew White, George Dockrell, Boyd Rankin
Former England player Ed Joyce had made the number three spot his own in recent weeks, and adds some flair to the batting order while quick Boyd Rankin will provide an injection of much-needed pace into the Irish bowling stocks.
X-Factor: :
Bangladesh: Imrul Kayes - the 24-year-old opener is usually something of an anchor in the Bangladesh top order, but his quick fire 34 against India suggested he can be a potent attacking weapon.
Ireland: Boyd Rankin - The six foot eight inch Rankin's express pace and bounce have drawn comparisons with West Indian great Curtly Ambrose.
Summary: :
Bangladesh will be keen to put the insipid performance of their bowlers in their first-up loss to India out of their minds when they take on Ireland, who have been World Cup giant killers in recent years.
In 2007, the Irish defeated Pakistan to progress to the Super 8 stage of the tournament, where they then accounted for Bangladesh - so far the only World Cup meeting between the two nations.
Bangladesh are no strangers to the big stage themselves, having shocked India at the 2007 event in the Caribbean.
The Irish enjoyed a four-wicket win over Zimbabwe in their last lead-up game before the tournament - aided by a polished 79 from Andre Botha - and they will be hoping for more good touch from the South African-born all-rounder on Friday, who also claimed two wickets in the match.
But Bangladesh must head into the game as warm favourites in front of their home crowd, and will be disappointed with anything less than victory as they look to post their first win in the 2011 World Cup.
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