Shafiul spurs Tigers to 27-run victory

MIRPUR, Bangladesh (CMC):Shafiul Islam grabbed four wickets for 21 runs from eight overs to take Bangladesh to a 27-run victory over Ireland in the World Cup yesterday.

Shafiul triggered a collapse that sent Ireland crashing to 178 all out in 45 overs, as they failed to successfully chase 206 for victory in their Group B match at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium.

The O'Brien brothers, Niall and Kevin, led the way for the Irish with 38 and 37, respectively, Andre Botha scored 22, and their captain William Porterfield got 20.

Bangladesh had been dismissed for 205 in 49.2 overs, with Tamim Iqbal hitting the top score of 44 to earn the man-of-the-match award.

Raqibul Hasan made 38, Mushfiqur Rahim got 36, and Naeem Islam added 29.

Andre Botha was the most successful Irish bowler with three for 32 from nine over.

Ireland looked on course at 151 for five in the 37th over, but Kevin O'Brien was caught at deep square leg off Shafiul to trigger a collapse that saw the visitors lose their last five wickets for 27 runs in the space of 51 deliveries.

The medium-fast bowler added the scalps of Botha, Trent Johnston, and Boyd Rankin to formalise the result for the Tigers to a cacophony of noise around the ground.

rapid opening stand

Earlier, Bangladesh benefited from a rapid opening stand of 53 between Tamim and Imrul Kayes, and a 61-run, fifth-wicket stand between Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hasan.

Though several batsmen got starts none carried on, and many of the home fans feared another World Cup defeat to the Irish, following their loss in the 2007 edition in the Caribbean.

The World Cup continues today with Sri Lanka hosting Asian rivals Pakistan at the Premadasa Stadium.