Ireland's opening game in the Walton Tri-Nations series against Bangladesh finally succumbed to the elements this afternoon with just 31 overs of the visitors' innings possible before persistent rain forced the umpires into an early abandonment at 16.45pm.

William Porterfield's men had started brightly after the Irish skipper had invited the Tigers to bat on winning the toss and it looked an obvious call on a very green Malahide track as Peter Chase, playing on his home ground, gave his team a wonderful start.

Chase was on the money early, having Soumya Sarkar (5) caught behind by Niall O'Brien in his very first over and then Sabbir Rahman (0) superbly taken by Tim Murtagh at third man in his next.

Bangladesh were reeling on 9 for 2 at that point but were brought back into the game courtesy of a 38-run partnership between Mushfiqur Rahim and stand-in skipper Shakib Al Hasan.

Barry McCarthy's introduction into the attack brought about the breakthrough as he had Mushfiqur caught by Gary Wilson at first slip for 13 before Chase claimed his third, having Al Hasan (14) snapped up by 'keeper O'Brien.

At 70-4 the home side were definitely on top, however Tamim Iqbal was now going along nicely as he and Mahmudullah gladly accepted the width on offer from Ireland's bowlers.

This pair added an unbroken 87-run stand before the rain arrived- Iqbal with 8 fours in his unbeaten 64 while his partner clipped 4 fours and a six in his 43*.

It had the makings of a good contest in truth but it was the weather that won in the end, and Ireland have to wait now until Sunday and their second match against New Zealand at the same venue (10.45) to look for that all-important victory.