Feb. 25: Bangladesh stung flat-footed Ireland to resurrect their campaign with a 27-run victory in front a boisterous home crowd on Friday. Bangladesh, bowled out for 205 after taking first strike in the day-night match, hit back to dismiss the leading non-Test nation for 178 in 45 overs at the packed Sher-e-Bangla stadium.
Ashraful, who scored just one run, turned an unlikely hero with the ball by claiming two top-order wickets with his part-time off-spin. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan also picked up two wickets with left-arm spin before seamer Shafiul Islam polished off the tail in quick time with 4-21 from eight overs.
Kevin O’Brien scored 37 during a sixth-wicket stand of 41 with Andre Botha when he pulled Shafiul to mid-wicket to reduce Ireland to 151-6. Shafiul claimed three of the last four wickets to send Ireland crashing. Earlier, Botha picked up three wickets and George Dockrell and Johnston claimed two each to bowl out the hosts.