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Bangladesh beat Ireland by 71 runs in the first RSA Twenty 20 International at Stormont in Belfast this evening, with Ireland being outclassed with both bat and ball.

It was a very disappointing display by Ireland who came into the game looking to cement their place as the 8th ranked side in the World in Twenty20 Cricket, however it was the visitors who dominated throughout the early evening in Belfast.
Bangladesh were sent in to bat after William Porterfield had won the toss. They posted 190 from their 20 overs, mainly thanks to Shakib Al Hasan’s quick 57 and Ziaur Rahman’s late blitz of 40 not out – an innings which included five sixes and came off just 17 balls, to propel the Bangladesh total from the relative trouble of 120 for 4 with just 5 overs to go. For Ireland, Stirling and Sorensen both took two wickets but went at around ten an over and it was the ever-miserly Trent Johnston whose four overs cost the least as he went for just 23.

Ireland’s chase couldn’t have started much better as they flew to 30 for 0 after 3 overs but as soon as the spinners came on the wickets began to fall regularly. By the end of Elias Sunny’s spell, who was making his T20 International debut Ireland were suddenly 72 for 8 and the game was up. Elias Sunny finished with the best ever figures for someone playing their first match of 5 for 13 from his 4 overs as Ireland could not play his left arm spin. Gary Wilson batted right the way through the collapse and continued to look in great touch and his innings of 41 off 36 balls unfortunately did no more than to spare Ireland’s blushes as Bangladesh ran out convincing winners by 71 runs.

Elias Sunny was named the RSA Man of the Match and Ireland will be looking for a much better performance in the second match of the series at Stormont at Friday night.

Friday’s match will start at 5pm with tickets available through Ticketmaster and also on sale on the gate.

The Full Scorecard is hereHere

Cricket Ireland
Ireland struggled badly against Bangladesh’s spinners
[353] Gary Wilson – wilson-gary
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