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Shafiul Islam picked up a career best 4 wickets for 21 runs to give Bangladesh their first win in the ICC Cricket World Cup. Playing in front of a massive home crowd, Bangladesh were bowled out cheaply for 205 runs but the bowlers rose to the occasion knocking over Ireland for just 178 runs in their chase. There were contributions from all the bowlers with Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Ashraful chipping in with 4 wickets between them and Abdur Razzak and Naeem Islam picking up one each. Earlier in the day a great fielding display combined with disciplined bowling helped Ireland to take control of the Bangladesh innings after Tamim Iqbal had imposed himself on the Irish with a flurry of boundaries. Bangladesh though were bowled out for 205 in the last over of the innings after a couple of fantastic spells from Andre Botha and George Dockrell.

After winning the toss, Bangladesh decided to bat first hoping to repeat the batting heroics that they showed against India and they did indeed start that way. Tamim Iqbal clobbered several boundaries off both opening bowlers - Boyd Rankin and Trent Johnston. Bangladesh were flying with 49 on the board after just 5 overs. Ireland captain William Porterfield rung the changes by bringing John Mooney and Andre Botha into the attack. Mooney got Imrul Kayes out for 12 off a wide ball with Naill O'Brien completing a brilliant stumping. Bangladesh lost the wicket of Junaid Siddique (3) off a direct hit by Ed Joyce. Tamim Iqbal made better than a run a ball 44 before he fell trying to play another expansive drive through the off side. The run rate had been slowing down consistently since the first wicket fell and regular wickets ensured that the Bangladeshis couldn't get quick runs.

Captain Shakib Al Hasan got a fresh lease on life when opposition skipper Porterfield dropped a sitter but he didn't last long as Botha pulled off a brilliant catch off his own bowling to send him back for 16. Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hassan (38) tried to stabilize the Bangladeshi innings adding 61 for the 5^th wicket. However, when Rahim was on 36, he top edged one from George Dockrell, playing his first World Cup match, and was caught by Andrew White at short fine leg. Bangladesh lost their way after that. losing wickets at regular intervals and faced the danger of not even completing 50 overs. Naeem Islam (29) took Bangladesh above 200 before getting out in the last over.

Left arm spinner Dockrell was instrumental in Ireland's effort to restrict Bangladesh as he conceded just 23 runs in his 10 overs while also picking up 2 wickets. Andre Botha too bowled a good line and length and was rewarded with three wickets. Trent Johnston took the last 2 wickets to bring an early end to the Bangladesh innings for 205.

Ireland's reply got an early reality check with Abdur Razzak sharing the new ball. The move produced quick results as Paul Stirling was stumped in the 6^th over off the bowling of Razzak for 9. Captain Porterfield departed soon after for 20 to Shakib when Ireland had just 36 on board. Niall O'Brien joined Ed Joyce and they added 39 for the third wicket when Joyce scooped a simple catch to Ashraful off his own bowling. Andrew White made a painstaking 10 before he became Ashraful's second victim as the score slipped to 93 for 4.

The O'Brien brothers were set the task of taking Ireland home, but Niall's innings of 38 was cut short by a brilliant catch by Tamim Iqbal, easily the best fielding effort in the tournament thus far. Kevin O'Brien looked confident in the middle, hitting one mighty six over long on off Ashraful in addition to a few boundaries as well. He fell for 37 with the score at 151, and with his dismissal went Ireland's chances at victory. O'Brien pulled one straight down the throat of the square leg fielder off the bowling of Shafiul Islam, for the fast bowler's first wicket. The pacer got some late swing in his evening spell and knocked over the tail by picking up an additional three wickets.

Tamim Iqbal was awarded the Man of the Match for his early knock and wonderful effort in the field, however, the match was really won by the Bangladeshi bowlers, who did brilliantly to defend a paltry score. It was a disappointing end to the game for Ireland, after having been so competitive for most of it, and they will surely rue the opportunity to pick up two vital points. The result though means a lot for Bangladesh and their chances at the World Cup. The home fans were desperate for a win and will hope to make it two on the trot when Bangladesh take on the West Indies, their competitors for a quarter-final spot when they meet on the 4^th of March at the same venue. Ireland meanwhile take on neighbours England on Wednesday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Teams:

Bangladesh: T Iqbal, I Kayes, J Siddique, M Rahim (wk), S Al Hasan(c), R Hasan, M Ashraful, N Islam, S Islam, A Razzak, R Hossain

Ireland: W Porterfield(c), P Stirling, EC Joyce, NJ O'Brien(wk), A White, K O'Brien, A Botha, J Mooney, D Johnston, G Dockrell, W Rankin

Mini Scorecard

Bangladesh 205 all out in 49.2 overs (4.15 runs per over)
T Iqbal 44(43) A Botha 3-32
R Hassan 38(69) G Dockrell 2-23

Ireland 178 all out in 45 overs (3.96 runs per over)
N O'Brien 38(52) S Islam 4-21
K O'Brien 37(40) S Al Hasan 2-28

Bangladesh won by 27 runs

Also Read: England vs India (Match Preview) 

File Photograph Copyright: BCB