- Scorecard | Images from the match
O'Brien brothers Niall and Kevin's scintillating knocks gave Ireland a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh and a berth in the Super Eight stage of the World Twenty20 championship, at Trent Bridge, in Nottingham, on Monday.
Niall blasted a 25-ball 40 that was studded with three fours and as many sixes, while Kevin fired an unbeaten 17-ball 39, inclusive of fours and a couple of sixes, as Ireland attained the target with 10 balls to spare.
Earlier, all-rounder Trent Johnston's three-wicket haul restricted Bangladesh to 137 for eight in the Group A match.
Niall stitched a 55-run partnership for the first wicket with skipper William Porterfield (23) to lay the foundation for victory before the left-handed batsman was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan in the 10th over.
Ireland then lost two quick wickets in Porterfield and GC Wilson (10) before Kevin steadied the ship in a 49-run stand off 24 balls with John Mooney (17).
For Bangladesh, Mashrafe Mortaza took two wickets for 30 runs, while Shakib and Abdur Razzak bagged one each.
Earlier, Johnston had ripped through the Bangladesh top order, ejecting opener Junaid Siddique (13), skipper Mohammad Ashraful (14) and Shakib Al Hasan (7) after Ireland skipper William Porterfield won the toss and inserted Bangladesh in the seventh match of the tournament.
Bangladesh were in dire straits at 94 for seven before Mashrafe Mortaza cracked a quickfire 16-ball 33, that was studded with one four and two sixes, to take give the total respectability.
Needing a victory to keep their hopes alive in the tournament after their disastrous start against India in the opening match, Bangladesh struggled as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Had it not been wasn't for the late charge given by Mortaza, things could have been embarrassing for them.
Alex Cusack bowled the last over which yielded 20 invaluable runs for Bangladesh with Mortaza twice clearing the rope with two huge sixes.
© 2024 Rediff.com -