Cricket; Belfast dates for Tigers Ireland to play three-match series as part of World T20 preparations

Ireland will play a three-match Twenty20 series against Bangladesh in Belfast in July.

The series will begin Ireland's preparations for the World Twenty20, which will be staged in Sri Lanka from September.

"It's great news that we're taking on Bangladesh and the games will give us valuable preparation as we build towards the World Cup in Sri Lanka," Ireland coach Phil Simmons said.

"In Paul Stirling we have one of the most exciting players in international cricket at present and I'm sure the Belfast public will relish the opportunity to watch him on home soil.""We played an exciting brand of cricket in winning the recent qualifying tournament in Dubai and we're now eighth in the world rankings in this format of the game.

The matches, which form part of a nine-day Bangladesh tour, will be staged on July 18, 20 and 21 at Stormont.

Ireland have met Bangladesh just once before in the shortest format, when they were six-wicket winners during the 2009 World Twenty20.

Ireland have been drawn against Australia and West Indies at this year's World Twenty20.