Bangladesh batsman Liton Das (L) celebrates his half-century against Ireland during their tri-nation one-day international series match at the Clontarf Cricket Club Ground in Dublin on Wednesday. — AFP photo
Bangladesh produced another dominating performance in the ongoing tri-nation one-day international series as they beat hosts Ireland by six wickets at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin on Wednesday.
Pacer Abu Jayed set-up the win with 5-58, his maiden five-wicket haul as Bangladesh restricted Ireland to 292-2 before coasting to 294-4 in 43 overs to give them a perfect boost ahead of Friday’s final against West Indies.
Openers Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das and one-down Sakib al Hasan each struck a fifty before few useful cameos by Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah took Bangladesh to the winning shore.
Not everything, however, went in favour of Bangladesh as Sakib was forced to retire with a rib-injury after making 50 off 51 balls, though manager Minhajul Abedin confirmed overphone his injury appeared nothing very serious.
Bangladesh were also sloppy in the field, which allowed Paul Stirling striking 130 off 141 balls and put a massive 174-run with William Porterfield (94 off 106 balls) that threatened to take the game beyond Bangladesh’s reach.
Sabbir Rahman dropped Stirling on 57 off Mosaddek Hossain at long on before Saifuddin dropped the same batsman on 58 runs in the next over, bowled by Sakib.
The Irish opener took the full advantage to his eight one-day international hundreds before he was finally dismissed by star of the show and man-of-the-match Jayed.
Rubel Hossain, one of the four changes for Bangladesh in the dead contest, provided Tigers the first breakthrough when he dismissed James McCollum for five in the fourth over in the innings.
Bangladesh World Cup squad member Jayed, who was wicketless on his debut match against West Indies, needed a touch of luck for his maiden wicket as he dismissed an in-form Andrew Balbirnie.
Wicketkeeper Mushfiq took a catch down the leg side though replay appeared inconclusive if Balbirnie’s bat had connected the ball.
Stirling and Porterfield helped Ireland recover from 59-2 before Jayed broke their epic partnership to trigger an unexpected collapse that has seen the home side lost their last five wickets for 28 runs.
After earning Bangladesh the crucial breakthrough Jayed dismissed Kevin O Brien (three) and Paul Stirling in consecutive deliveries in the 47th over before he removed Gary Wilson to complete his maiden five-wicket haul.
Mohammad Saifuddin claimed two more wickets in the final over of innings to keep Ireland restricted below 300 runs.
Faced with a challenging target, Tamim and Liton were up to the task from the start, putting 117 runs for the opening stand before Tamim was played-on by pacer Boyd Rankin for 57 off 53.
Replacing Soumya Sarkar, Liton was not ready to waste his chance and played some good-looking shots before he was bowled by Barry McCarthy.
Liton made 76 off 67 balls in his first fifty in the last eight matches with the help of nine fours and a six.
Sakib and Mushfiq took all control in the chase after their departure as they added 64 runs for third wicket.
Wicketkeeper Wilson took a spectacular catch off Rankin diving to his left ending Mushfiq’s endeavour at 35. Sakib, who was hurt in his ribcage, left the crease after completing his fifty but Mahmudullah, with his unbeaten 35, ensured Bangladesh did not suffer further hiccup.
Source: New Age