Ireland vs. Bangladesh: 2nd ODI Review
Bangladesh, after a disappointing performance in the first match, struck back with a disciplined bowling performance which was well supported by the batsmen as well which enabled them to seal a six-wicket victory against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751 at Belfast. The ODI series which comprised of two back-to-back ODI matches ended in a 1-1 draw. A remarkable bowling performance from Shakib Al Hasan and Shafiul Islam restricted the hosts to 189 runs which was easily chased by the Bengali tigers lead by Tamim Iqbal’s 74 off 91 with six wickets in hand and six overs to spare.
The early morning rain restricted the second ODI to 46 overs per side. William Porterfield, after winning the toss, decided to bat first but his decision backfired as both the openers left the crease without entering into the double figures. Meanwhile, Alex Cusack who came in at number three struggled at the crease and failed to open his account. Skipper William Porterfield lost his wicket quite early in the innings in just the 5th over of the game, spooning a catch to Jahurul Islam at backward point off http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mashrafe-Mortaza-c1917. He could score just six runs including a boundary to his name. Ireland lost their second wicket in the following over when opener Paul Stirling gave an edge to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim with Ireland tottering at 13 for 2.
Though Niall O'Brien during his 49 minutes stay, tried to ease the nerves of his side by smashing a spell of boundaries but Alex Cusack’s departure in the tenth over did not let the hosts enjoy O'Brien’s flurry of fours. Cusack, in his 22-minute stay at the crease faced 12 balls but failed to open his account. Mashrafe’s strategy of bowling with the spinners in tandem did not let the Irish batsmen break free. In the 17th over, Abdur Razzak earned the Bengali tigers a breakthrough when he trapped the trouble man, Niall O'Brien, in front of the wickets for an lbw. Neil scored 27 runs off 39 balls including four boundaries.
At 62-5, Ireland was in precarious situation and they dearly needed a big partnership to come out of the situation. Gary http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wilson-c98046 took the initiative as he smashed Razzak for a boundary through long-on. Both Gray and Andrew White added another 44 runs to the scorecard for the sixth-wicket partnership, but the jubilation was short-lived as White was trapped lbw by the left-arm-spinner. White, who was playing at number 6, scored 24 runs off 54 deliveries.
The partnership between Wilson and John Mooney troubled the trio of Bengali spinners who smashed boundaries across the ground. The aggressiveness of both the players forced Mashrafe to go for a bowling change. However, Mooney did not respect Shafiul either as he smashed him for two boundaries and a six. Wilson reached his third ODI half century by taking a single but failed to capitalize on his fifty and went back to the pavilion after edging to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mushfiqur-Rahim-c2045 off Shakib Al Hasan. His 60 runs from 64 balls included six boundaries to his credit. Shafiul Islam’s two wickets in the 43rd over did not let the hosts cross the two hundred mark.
Shafiul Islam was the leading wicket taker with 4 for 59 while Shakib Al http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hasan-c61990 remained the most economical bowler conceding just 21 runs in his 9 overs spell. Shakib also took two wickets.
Bangladesh rode on Tamim Iqbal’s whirlwind 74 run innings at the top to chase an easy target of 190 runs. The batting started in a shaky manner as Imrul Kayes lost his wicket in the sixth over of the innings after nicking a Trent Johnston delivery to Stirling who was standing in the second slip. Imrul could only add five runs to the scorecard. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Junaid-Siddique-c1749 departed just five overs later as he slashed a Kevin O'Brien delivery straight into the hands of Johnston. Bangladesh, in 10.1 overs, was struggling at 41-2.
However, Jahurul Islam and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 was just 18 runs behind the target with 13 overs yet to be bowled. Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim saw Bangladesh sail to a six wicket win in just 37.4 overs.
Bangladesh in the last phase of its UK tour, will now visit Scotland to play two ODI’s against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753 which will be played in Glasgow.
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