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Ireland’s final warm up match before the ICC World Twenty 20 ended in a thrilling win as Ireland’s bowlers clawed back Bangladesh to sneak home by 2 runs and extend Ireland’s unbeaten run in Sri Lanka.
In July, Bangladesh came to Belfast and played three T20 Internationals against Ireland and won the series 3-0 including two thrilling last over victories. Today the teams met in the vastly different conditions of Colombo, Sri Lanka but it was Ireland that ran out winners thanks to a thrilling performance from Paul Stirling and a superb effort from Ireland’s ‘death bowlers’.

Needing 165 from 20 overs Bangladesh looked to be in control right from the start of their chase. Despite losing Mohammed Ashraful early, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib-al-Hasan scored at over ten runs an over and Bangladesh looked to be cruising to victory as they reached 99 for 2 from only 9 overs leaving them needing less than a run a ball to win. Al-Hasan was particularly harsh on Ireland’s bowlers taking a George Dockrell over for 19 en route to scoring his 50 from only 20 balls.

Ireland’s fight back was led by their seamers with Nigel Jones and Kevin O’Brien bowling 8 overs in tandem to give Ireland a chance to steal victory. Kevin O’Brien bowled 4 overs taking 3 for 25 whilst Nigel Jones has made the selection of the starting XI for Wednesday even more difficult by claiming 1 for 25 from his 4 overs including the prize wicket of Shakib-al-Hasan.

Ziaur Rahman who stole one of the matches in Belfast for Bangladesh was still at the crease and when he struck Kevin O’Brien for 6 in the 18th over Bangladesh needed only 12 from the last two overs. Ireland turned to two of their most experienced cricketers to bowl the final two overs with Alex Cusack Bowling a superb 19th over that went for just 2 runs and claiming the wicket of Mashrafe Mortaza, then it was left to Trent Johnston to bowl the final over and he held his nerve including dismissing Rahman as Ireland ran out winners by 5 runs.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh had won the toss and chosen to bowl on another scorching hot day which meant Ireland had the chance for first use of the good batting track. Ireland coach Phil Simmons has named Paul Stirling as his ‘player to watch’ in the tournament and he served notice to Australia and the West Indies that he is coming into form at just the right time, as he flayed the Bangladeshi spinners and sealers alike to all parts of the Moors Sports Club ground during his innings of 71. He struck 5 sixes and was particularly harsh on the off-spin of Mahmudullah, in the 11th over of the innings his first three deliveries all sailed for six.

Stirling was well supported by captain William Portefield who again made 17 in a partnership of 46 and Ed Joyce who scored a fluent 39 in a second wicket partnership of 64 before Stirling fell for 71 off just 41 balls.

Preparation couldn’t have gone better for Ireland here in Sri Lanka and they will be approaching both Group B games confident of taking another Full Member scalp at a World event.

It all starts Wednesday morning for Ireland at 11am Irish time against Australia.

Cricket Ireland
Paul Stirling hit 10 boundaries Photo: Barry Chambers
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