BAN VS IRE 2ND ODI

Right then, that is it from this game. We could not get the second innings going and the match was called off due to rain. Bangladesh still lead 1-0 in this three-match ODI series, but will need to do all the work again in the next game to win the series while Ireland will try to put on a better performance and make it 1-1. The 3rd ODI will be played on 23rd March, Thursday at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT), but as you know you can join us early for the build-up. Cheers!

Sad news folks! The inevtiable has happened and this match is abandoned due to rain. The rain gods showed no mercy here and the covers did not have a chance to be taken off for once. Bangladesh will be disappointed with ths as they were in a great position to win this game and seal the series. They broke their own record of the highest ODI total for them which they literally created in the previous game. Mushfiqur Rahim also became the fastest Bangladeshi player to score an ODI hundred, but he will not be able to call it a match-winning innings. Ireland, on the other hand will feel like that rain was their saviour here as chasing 350 here would have been a really tough ask for them. They now have a chance to work on their mistakes and come back stronger in the 3rd ODI and try to finish the series on level terms.

Update - The rain has slowed down a bit, but the covers are still on. The cut-off time for a 20-over game is 9.03 pm IST (3.33 pm GMT), but the groundstaff will need to work hard to get the outfield ready in time. Let's hope for the best.

Update - 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT) - Nothing new to tell about. The rain is still falling down and the chances of starting this chase looks slim let alone having a full game. However, as you wait, you can switch tabs to catch our coverage of the Women's T20 League.

Update - 6.26 pm IST (12.56 pm GMT) - It is still raining and the visuals from the ground are not looking good. The covers are still on and it is very dark out there. However, the cut-off time is still far away and all we can do is wait and hope that we get some action.

Update - 6 pm IST (12.30 pm GMT) - Bad news folks! The run chase has been delayed for now as it is raining pretty heavily at the moment. The covers are on as well and we have to play the waiting game. Stay tuned for further updates.

Right then, Bangladesh have posted a huge total on the board with some scintillating batting display and will confident enough to defend this one. Ireland will need to bat their skins out if they are to get anywhere near this total. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie will need to give them a good start. Let's see how the chase unfolds.

For Ireland, it was the same story as the last game as the start was good but the spinners failed to impact the game and they lost he plot in the middle muddle. Graham Hume once against looked the brightest for them picking up three wickets, but he was not supported enough by other bowlers. Mark Adair and Curtis Campher took a wicket each. Their spinners were not effective, and it was a rude-awakening for the debutant, Matthew Humphreys as he turned out to be exepensive along with Andy McBrine. Their death bowling was also not up to the mark and allowed too many runs in the end.

The game started at a slow pace as openers Tamim Iqbal and Litton Das took their time to start scoring freely. A mix-up cost the wicket on Tamim right on the stroke of Powerplay 1 but it did not effect the scoring rate and Najmul Hossain Shanto and Litton kept scoring at a good pace. Litton, Shakib Al Hasan and Shanto fell in a cluster but the arrival of Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy sparked the Bangladesh innings again as they started scoring for fun. Rahim was sensational as he smashed a century and the opponent bowlers all around the park to help his side get to a massive total.

Take a bow, Mushfiqur Rahim! A blistering inning of high quality from him has helped the hosts post a mammoth total in the second ODI as well. We are halfway done with this game as Bangladesh has bettered their score from the first ODI and has broken their own record for the highest ODI total for them. Ireland has a daunting task in front of them if they are to level the series.

Yes, he can! HUNDRED FOR RAHIM! This is another low full toss, on middle, Mushfiqur Rahim tucks it towards deep mid-wicket for single. This is the fastest ODI hundred for a Bangladesh player and celebrates like a wild man too. Bangladesh finishes on 349/6!

A low full toss, on middle, Mushfiqur Rahim whips it wide of long on for a brace. He moves to 99 now! Only one ball left. Can he do it?

FOUR! Cheeky and effective! Graham Hume misses th the yorker, and bowls a full toss, on middle, Mushfiqur Rahim moves across and reverse-scoops it over the short thrid man fence for a boundar. He moves to 97 now!

Full and on middle, Mushfiqur Rahim whips it towards deep square leg and comes back for the second.

Full and on middle, Taskin Ahmed flicks it through square leg for a single. Mushfiqur Rahim is back on strike. He needs 9 runs for his hundred with four balls left.

Taskin Ahmed walks out next.

OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust! Graham Hume bowls this short and outside off, Yasir Ali tries to go for the big shot, but has to reach for it and slices it in the air behind point, Stephen Doheny from short third man runs to his left and takes a good catch. Bangladesh six down now!