http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751 v Bangladesh - Bangladesh in Ireland T20I Series - 1st T20I - Match Recap
Bangladesh 190/5 (20/20 ov) v Ireland 119/8 (20/20 ov) - Bangladesh won by 71 runs
On Wednesday, July 18, Bangladesh took an early lead against Ireland in the three-match T20 series by winning the first fixture against the hosts by a mammoth margin of 71 runs, in the match that was played at Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast.
Considering Bangladesh’s lack of experience of playing under the Irish weather, the hosts were rooted as favourites before the game, putting considerable amount of pressure on the tourists.
However, the collective effort by Bangladesh proved they were certainly the better side even on alien lands.
While in the batting department, Bangladesh gave a decent show with Shakib Al http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 proud, with the bowler nabbing five wickets and earning the Player of the Match award.
In the Irish camp, players like PR Stirling and the O'Brien brothers failed to give a show as they were neutralized by the tourists without hassle.
The day began with Ireland winning the toss and electing to field first as they were hoping for an early batting demise by the touring team.
Openers, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tamim-Iqbal-c2640 and Mohammad Ashraful gave a confident start to their innings, as they steadfast and prevented an early demise by countering the bowling onslaught.
Finally with 35 runs on the board, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Ashraful-c76740 became the first wicket of the day, as he was removed by MC Sorensen, after having jabbed a knock of 15 runs.
With his opening partner back in the pavilion, Iqbal was joined by star performer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shakib-Al-Hasan-c89559, and the two forged a resounding partnership, not only to irritate the bowlers, but also to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The two batsmen knew that they needed to craft a potent partnership in order to amass a total good enough to be defended by their bowlers later in the match.
Finally, the daunting partnership was brought to an end by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/PR-Stirling-c2200, as he grabbed the prized wicket of Iqbal, who fell after scoring 31 runs.
With Iqbal out of action, Hasan took charge and hammered the bowlers out of town without remorse.
The batsman piled 57 runs off 33 deliveries, as he annihilated the Irish bowling attack, while later in the innings, it was the fiery knock of 40 runs off just 17 deliveries by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ziaur-Rahman-c98624 that really turned the tide in favour of Bangladesh.
With a score of 190 on the board, Bangladesh were in a good position to go one up in the series, however, they still needed to humble the hard-hitting batsmen in the Irish squad to accomplish this feat.
Ireland never looked focussed enough to be actually heading for the kill as they kept loosing wickets at almost regular intervals, consequently costing them the match, as they had no answer to the bowling onslaught that was unleashed by Sunny.
Ireland, could respond with only 119 runs in reply to the asking total, as they lost eight wickets while trying to overcome the target.
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