Tigers make perfect practice beating Ireland

Hosts Bangladesh made a perfect practice ahead of their first match of the ICC World Twenty20 against Afghanistan tomorrow (Sunday), beating Ireland by 44 runs in their 2nd and last official warm-up match at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah Friday, reports UNB.

In their first warm-up match, Bangladesh tasted the maiden win of the year beating United Arab Emirates (UAE) by four wickets at the same venue Wednesday.

In the day's match, the Bengal Tigers batted first after winning the toss and filed up a good total of 179 runs for 3 in stipulated 20 overs featuring two quick half centuries by skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and world famed all rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

After the departure of top three batsmen-Tamim Iqbal (32), Anamul Haque (3) and Sabbir Rahman (23) -- for 63 runs in 10.1 overs, two down Shakib Al Hasan pairing number five batsman cum captain Mushfiqur Rahim guided the team towards the victory contributing an unconquered 116 runs in the 4th wicket stand.

Mushfiqur Rahim quick-fired an unbeaten 59 runs off just 30 balls featuring eight fours and two sixes while Shakib Al Hasan scored not out 58 runs playing 32 balls with the help of seven boundaries and one over boundary.

Earlier, opener Anamul Haque continued his dismal performance as he returned to the pavilion cheaply, caught by Porterfield off a PR Stirling delivery, scoring six-ball three runs leaving team the total at 9/1 in 2.5 overs.

Opener Tamim Iqbal made 29-ball 32 runs, including two fours and a six, while one down Sabbir Rahman scored run-a-ball 23 with one four and a six.

PR Stirling, AR McBrine and GH Dockrell took one wicket each conceding 18, 22 and 29 runs respectively.

Chasing a challenging total, the Irish team were forced to fold their innings at 135 runs for 8 in the stipulated 20 overs after losing wickets on regular interval.

At one stage, they lost six wickets for 84 runs 14.1 overs, including the vital wicket of captain WTS Porterfield, who contributed the team's highest run-a-ball 44 featuring four boundaries while lower SR Thompson fought hard for their existence making 19-ball 35 runs hitting three fours and two sixes.

One down EC Joyce (15) and two down AD Poynter (12) were the other notable contributors for Ireland reaching the double figure while another 12 runs of the innings came as extras.

Spinner Shakib Al Hasan and pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortaza grabbed two wickets each conceding 13 and 28 runs respectively. Al Amin Hossain, Shohag Gazi, Mahmudullah Riyad and Abdur Razzak took one wicket each.