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Download PDF Bangladesh bowlers failed to take any wicket for the first 33 overs as Ireland frustrated the Tigers in their Super Eights match at Kensington Oval yesterday.
A 92-run opening stand between Jeremy Bray and William Porterfield inspired the Irish to reach 179 for four after 42 overs after skipper Trent Johnston’s brave decision to bat first on a bouncy Barbados pitch.
Porterfield, who hit only three boundaries to score a sedate but effective 85 off 136 balls, was the fourth man out in the 42nd over when he tried to paddle-scoop paceman Mashrafe Bin Mortaza but top-edged to Mohammed Rafique at short fine leg.
Kevin O’Brien with 30 and Johnston (1) were batting at the crease.
After Tigers’ new ball pair Mortaza and Cup debutant Shahadat Hossain, who replaced injured left-arm seamer Syed Rasel in the line-up, failed to make any impact, Bangladesh hit the inroads when a throw by Shakib Al Hasan helped wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim run out Bray for 31 off 70 balls.
One down Eoin Morgan (5) was also run out in similar fashion after a throw from Shahadat with the total on 101 in the 28th over.
The famous left-arm spin trio of Bangladesh also got little purchase against Ireland who had five left-handers in the top-order.
Shakib finally bowled a wicket-taking delivery in the 34th over when he had Niall O’Brien caught by Tamim Iqbal at fine leg after the southpaw had tried to reverse sweep.
The Irish openers stuck to their basics in a bid to ensure they had enough wickets to launch in the slog overs. In a rather orthodox fashion, Porterfield and Bray defied the Tigers’ seam-spin combination to put on 91 runs exactly halfway through their innings.
Mortaza tested the openers early with an accurate opening spell but Shahadat found it harder to hit the right line in his first match in the world’s greatest cricket show.
Porterfield had his share of luck as two edges fell short of the slip cordon, which was guilty of standing far too deep. Bangladesh also let themselves down in the field as Abdur Razzak dropped Porterfield at midwicket — albeit off a no ball. Porterfield survived another chance as Mohammad Rafique dropped the easiest of return chances.
The Tigers’ ground fielding was poor and they missed umpteen run-out chances as Ireland scampered the singles frantically to make up for absence of boundaries.
For Ireland all-rounder Andre Botha returned after missing the last two matches due to a hamstring problem. Botha replaced John Mooney in the line-up which received a nine-wicket thrashing against Australia on Friday.
Bangladesh missed their regular wicket taker Rasel, who hurt his ankle which fell on the boundary rope while trying to hold a high catch during practice just before the toss.
While the Irish have yet to produce a win in the Super Eights, Bangladesh are looking for their second victory after stunning South Africa last week.
April 16th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
It was utterly shocking to witness the marryment
by Indians displaing Indian flag in one hand & pakistani flages on the other in support of ireland.
Our boys are not timid, they will stride ahead
in future
& mockeries will be thrown
back to mockers.
I repeat, we are happy that Bangladesh Crickters
secured an honourable place in the Cricket World!.