MIRPUR: Bangladesh restricted Ireland to 178 all out in 45 overs with seam bowler Shafiul Islam doing the hero’s turn for the home side with 4 wickets for 21 runs off 8 overs in a ‘do or die’ Group B match at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Earlier, Ireland gave themselves a good chance to beat Bangladesh, restricting them to 205.
Bangladesh, after electing to bat, were at one point struggling at 86 for four. Tamim Iqbal (44) played a cameo while Mushfiqur Rahim (36) and Raqibul Hasan (38) were involved in a steady fifth-wicket partnership of 61 runs to pull the team through choppy waters.
Left-arm spinner George Dockwell was impressive in his spell, taking two wickets and giving away 23 in his quota of overs.
The home team, who lost their first match to India, were off to a great start with openers Tamim and Imrul Kayes (12) smashing 53 in 6.3overs. But the Irish medium pacers Trent Johnston (2/40) and Andre Botha (3/32) proved more than a handful on a slow wicket. They had Bangladesh on the mat in the next 10 overs.
Rahim and Hasan did the repair job as they managed a respectable total.
Barring an odd partnership, Bangladesh kept on losing wickets and could only muster 32 runs in the last 10 overs.
Ireland upset Pakistan and also beat Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup.(IANS)
