Mashrafe hopes for the best

"Weather is quite good here (Ireland). Our 18 players have practiced well. We hope something good is going to be happened," said Bangladesh ODI captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza after reaching Dublin in Ireland.

Tigers will face hosts Ireland in the opener of a tri-nation one-day international (ODI) series at Malahide of Dublin at 3:45pm today (Friday).

During the triangular series, each team - Bangladesh, New Zealand and Ireland - will play the other twice.

"Playing in foreign land is always a challenging one. Ireland is doing well and they know how to play here. So, it's going to be a tough one," the Bangladesh captain also said.

The Tigers have played two warm-ups in England during their conditioning camp and another practice match against Ireland Wolves, Ireland- A team, on 10 May.

Tigers gathered handsome scores in the three rehearsals.

Bangladesh defeated the 'Wolves' by 199 runs in the sole warm-up.

"It's an important series...If we can do well here, it will help us play better during Champions Trophy."

Mashrafe also said it is a big challenge as hosts always get extra advantages at home.

"We played well in past two and half years. We did well against Sri Lanka. We have to play our best here, too," he added.

Source: Prothom Alo