Fri, 25Feb 2011-Bangladesh vs Ireland World Cup 2011-9th match Group B - Bulletin

Shafi-ul helps Bangladesh to win crucial encounter

An inspired fast bowling spell from young fast bowlers Shafi-ul-Islam of 4 for 18-best by any Bangladesh bowler in world cup- helped home team overcame some tough moments during their defence of a low total of 206 runs to win the game by 27 runs against Ireland in the crucial group B match at Mirpur.

 Ireland were well on course to chase down the total when O’brein brothers were batting but lost wickets at crucial stages of the chase with Shafi-ul-Islam and  Bangladesh spinners not letting them to score freely and 25000 crowd cheering home team all the way.

At one time with score at 150 for 5, Ireland were cruising but their progress was halted by Shafi by taking four wickets in his 6 over spell conceding only ten runs to trigger Irish collapse getting all-out for 178.

 In his comeback spell, Shafi first got the wicket of dangerous looking Kevin O’brein for 37, then castling AC Botha following it up with trapping Johnston leg before and completed his career best spell by claiming wicket of Boyd Rankin. Off-spinner Naeem Islam chipped in with a wicket of John Mooney to help Bangladesh successfully defend the low score.

 Earlier it was Bangladesh spinners-part time of Mohammad Ashraful and left arm spin of Shakib and Abdur Razzak- to Bangladesh early wickets with Razzak getting Paul Stirling stumped out before Shakib removed his opposite number William Porterfield caught at short mid-wicket.

 Then two scalps from unlikely source with Mohammad Ashraful getting Ed Joyce caught and bowled following it with wicket of AR White clean bowled through the gate.

 Shakib came back to remove Nail O’brein who was caught brilliantly by Tamim-probably best catch of the tournament- in the deep for well compiled 38 runs.

 Such was the importance of the catch that Tamim who made 44 in the first innings was chosen man of the match ahead of Shafi-ul.

 Ireland might have failed with the bat but they made most of the slowish Mirpur surface and employed their spinners effectively to strangulate Bangladesh batsmen in the middle forcing them to false strokes to capitulate home team to a low score.

 It was gentle medium pace of Andre Botha and control and variations of young left arm spinner supplemented with two run-outs that restricted Bangladesh to a low total.

 After winning the toss, Bangladesh openers, Tamim in particular with 43-ball 44, were in full flight with team fifty reaching inside seven overs but brakes were put on with four wickets including that of Tamim and skipper Shakib ul Hassan for 25 runs.

 Downfall was started by JF Mooney getting Imrul Kayes stump out off leg-side followed by a swift piece of fielding at mid-on by Ed Joyce hitting the stumps direct to have Junaid short of ground.

 Andre Botha, bowling as second change, read the pitch well and resorted to cutters getting rewards in the shape of wickets of Tamim and Shakib leaving Bangladesh reeling at 86 for four.

 It was left to wicketkeeper batsmen Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hassan to do the consolidating work putting on 61 runs for the fifth wicket marked with some sensible piece of batting looking for singles and hitting an odd boundary in between.

All the good work and hard work was undone when Mushfiqur on 36 played a slog-sweep off Dockrell only to top edge to short fine-leg and Ashraful on 1 tried to do same and got out in a similar fashion giving Dockrell his second wicket.

 Dockrell conceded only 23 in his ten overs while Botha in his nine got three wickets giving away 32 runs.

 It got worse when Raqibul playing well on 38 was run-out by White after going for a silly single and Bangladesh were saved from more blushes by a defiant 29 runs from Naeemul Islam last man to be dismissed.

 Medium pacer Trent Johnston finished the tail by getting two wickets late in the innings.

Man of the Match - Tamim Iqbal

Kevin acceleration puts Ireland on top

 Ireland needed another 62 runs in 16 overs with five wickets in hand in their first world cup game against Bangladesh who were all-out for 205 runs after opting to bat first.

 Much will depend on Kevin O’brein who is batting on 36 runs off 33 balls with three fours and a six along with Botha not out on seven.

 Ireland were in a deep trouble losing five of its top batsmen for 110 but unbeaten 34 run partnership between the two has put them ahead of Bangladesh.

Ashraful strike dents Irish charge

 A Bangladesh-Ireland match was evenly balanced with Ireland’s score at 78 for three at the end of twenty overs while chasing a victory target of 206 runs.

 Much will depend on experienced left handed Nail O’brein who was looking in good form batting at 29 runs and giving him company was AR White not-out on two runs.

 Last man to go was Ed Joyce who was caught and bowled by Ashraful sending Bangladesh players and crowd to wild celebrations.

Bangladesh spinners are looking dangerous with wicket apiece to Razzak, Shakib and Ashraful as Pitch was offering some turn to them.

Saqibul dismisses Portfield to lift Bangladesh

 Ireland were 44 for the loss of both openers at the end of ten overs in reply to Bangladesh’s score of 205 runs.

Paul Stirling was the first man to go stumped by Mushfiqur off Razzak for nine runs while Shakib got a wicket of his first ball getting Porterfield caught at short mid-wicke