Bangladesh had a brilliant day across all departments as they handed Ireland a massive 183-run defeat in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors were bundled out for 155 in 30.5 overs after Bangladesh posted their highest-ever total in their preferred format – 338 for eight after 50 overs, riding on two well-executed nineties from star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and debutant Towhid Hridoy and a quick-fire cameo from Mushfiqur Rahim.
In reply, Ireland appeared content to mimic how the home side accelerated towards the latter stages but wickets fell in a flurry from the 12th over, bowled by Shakib, and the Irish lower-middle order were exposed earlier than the visitors would have hoped for. In the end, Ireland could only delay the inevitable.
All Bangladesh bowlers, except Mustafizur Rahman, were among the scalps. Ebadot Hossain was the pick of the bowlers with a four-fer, followed by Nasum Ahmed who picked three wickets while Taskin Ahmed scalped two. Meanwhile, Mushfiqur contributed to five dismissals behind the stumps and, in the process, equaled his own record.
The same venue had also staged Bangladesh's previous record 169-run win against Zimbabwe in 2020. The two sides will lock horns in the penultimate match on Monday.
