Bangladesh go down fighting
Bangladesh went down fighting to Ireland by four wickets in their inaugural match at the Warring Town Cricket Club ground in Belfast on Friday.
The national cricket team, which reached Northern Ireland on Wednesday on a one-and-a-month long tour of the British Isles preparatory tour for the next World Cup, appeared quick enough to adjust with the alien conditions when, sent into bat by the host, they piled up a fighting total of 229 before being all out in 49.3 overs. Vice-captain Aminul Islam top-scored with a workmanlike 52 off 68 balls which included only one hit across the rope. But the real thrust in the Bangladesh innings provided by number ten batsman Hasibul Hossain. The wily right-arm seamer, responsible for taking Bangladesh past the 200-mark, hammered a breezy unbeaten 33 off 22-ball embellished with three fours and a couple of huge sixes he was ably-supported by his new-ball partner Morshed Ali Khan, who scored nine out of an enterprising 41-run last wicket stand.
In reply, Ireland, aided by two half centuries from opener Carson and middle-order batsman Gillespie, raced to the victory, target 231 for six, with three balls to spare. Gillespie, the more aggressive of the two batsmen, clubbed nine fours and two sixes in his gusty 80-ball 94. While Carson clubbed eight fours in his 71-ball 52.
The two were particularly hostile again Hasibul Hossain and slow left-armer Enamul Haq. Hasibul finished with one for 53 in his 10 overs while Enam, who returned wicketless, conceded 51 runs in his eight expensive overs.
Rafique, who removed both the Irish openers, returned most successful with two for 37 runs in his ten economical overs.
Bangladesh will play their second one-day match against Ireland at Derry today.
Anybody's match with nineteen overs to go (earlier report)
Vice-captain Aminul Islam's half-century might prove to be decisive as Ireland, in reply to Bangladesh's seemingly fighting total of 229, put on 112 for two in 31 overs. Bangladesh were playing their opening match of the 45-day tour of Ireland, England and Scotland at the Warring Town Cricket Club ground in Belfast, Northern Ireland, yesterday.
According to telephone message received here last light, Aminul, the dapper right-hand middle-order bat, hammered 52 as Bangladesh, put into bat first by the hosts, reached 229 before being all out in the 50th over.
Bangladesh got off to a good start with left-hand opener Mohammad Rafique scoring 30 and his partner Athar Ali adding 14. The visitors were 180 for five at one stage and it appeared that they were going for a big total. But they failed to capitalise on their fine beginning and lost four quick wickets for the addition of nine runs, making it look all too ominous at 189 for nine. However, an unbeaten 33 from number nine saviour of a batsman Hasibul Hossain, took Bangladesh to a fighting total.
Naimur Rahman scored 27, Minhazul Abedin added 16 while skipper Akram Khan contributed 12 runs.
Ireland had acquired 55 runs for no loss in 15 overs.
Other details of the match could not be collected till the filing of this report late last night.
The following players played in the first eleven yesterday against Ireland: Akram Khan (captain), Mohammad Rafique, Athar Ali Khan, Minhazul Abedin, Aminul Islam, Naimur Rahman, Khaled Mahmud, Khaled Masood, Hasibul Hossain, Morshed Ali Khan and Enamul Haque.