A decider with World Cup in sight

The Bangladesh-Ireland T20I series -- the Tigers' final T20 assignment before February-March's T20 World Cup -- was expected to be straightforward for the hosts. The plan was simple: secure the series in the first two matches and use the final game to test new options ahead of the global event.

But Ireland proved far more challenging. They dominated the opening match with a convincing win and pushed Bangladesh hard in the second, which the hosts clinched by four wickets. As a result, today's final game in Chattogram has become a series decider.

For Ireland, the approach remains unchanged. Head coach Heinrich Malan has stressed continuing their aggressive style and treating the series as "part of the build-up to the World Cup".

Bangladesh's plans, however, shifted after their opening defeat. Shamim Hossain -- left out of the squad for the first two T20Is despite skipper Litton Das wanting him included -- has been recalled for the final match.

Mahidul Islam Ankon, who was included for the first two games, has retained his place. The team management justified his selection by saying he would be given at least one match to test his readiness for the middle order, a known problem area for Bangladesh ahead of the World Cup. Yet a debut for the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter now appears unlikely.

Ankon was barely involved in training yesterday, spending most of the session seated in the dugout. The other wicketkeeper-batter options are Nurul Hasan Sohan and Jaker Ali.

During throwdowns in the nets, Jaker struggled -- beaten while stepping out once, then bowled attempting a cut on the next ball. Frustrated, he muttered, "Patu [Patwary], you come," stepping aside as Shamim took strike. Jaker's walkaway felt symbolic.

He had been sharing the net with Shamim, while Sohan -- scoring just five runs in the second match after not being included in the first -- waited. He eventually batted at the end with the tail-enders, making it clear he was not in the team management's plans.

Even if an injury forced Ankon into the XI today, assessing him on a single match would hardly be meaningful with the World Cup approaching. Yet there was no one available to address these uncertainties. The selectors have remained silent, and head coach Phil Simmons has kept his distance from the media. Instead, pace bowling coach Shaun Tait attended the pre-match briefing.

Tait spoke clearly about his department, urging his pacers to seize their "next opportunity" and correct their inconsistencies. Aside from Mustafizur Rahman, most Bangladesh pacers conceded over 10 an over in the first two games.

He added that the team is keeping things simple, "hoping to build on the last victory and take that into the final game" to enter the pre-World Cup break with "momentum". But while Tait offered clarity, and Ireland seemed certain of their direction, the same could not be said for Bangladesh -- whose unsettled combinations and unclear plans appear to be the bigger concern ahead of the showpiece T20 tournament.