BELFAST — Tamim Iqbal played the star role as Bangladesh avenged their defeat to Ireland 24 hours earlier with a six-wicket win in the second one-day international in Belfast on Friday.
Bangladesh had been easily beaten by the Irish on Thursday but Tamim's innings of 74 from 91 balls ensured they would overhaul Ireland's total of 189-9 with 50 balls to spare and draw the two-match series.
In a rain-interrupted match, it was stylish opener Tamim, who hit six fours and a six, and seam bowler Shafiul Islam, who finished with 4-55, that played the key roles.
Morning rain led to a delayed start and another shower soon after play began reduced the match to a 46-over game.
Ireland captain William Porterfield had decided to bat first after winning the toss in overcast conditions, but it was a gamble that backfired as Bangladesh took control from the start.
Porterfield had hit a century in Ireland's win on Thursday but departed for just six in the fifth over this time after slashing Mashrafe Mortaza to Jahurul Islam at backward point.
Shafiul struck in the next over to dismiss Paul Stirling for six and it wasn't long before Alex Cusack went for a duck to leave Ireland 28-3.
A flurry of boundaries by Niall O'Brien briefly lifted the hosts' morale, but he was soon dismissed and then Kevin O'Brien perished attempting the same big-hitting tactics.
At 62 for 5, Ireland were in desperate trouble and it took a top-scoring 60 from Gary Wilson to help Ireland to a semi-respectable score.
He and Andrew White added 44 for the fifth wicket and then John Mooney chipped in with 28, but Shafiul took two late wickets to keep the total well within reach.
Although the loss of opener Imrul Kayes and number three Junaid Siddique left Bangladesh 43-2, Tamim was in typically dominant form.
Aided by a 34 from Jahurul Islam, he kept Bangladesh firmly on course and even his late dismissal couldn't prevent a routine win.
Reported By A P
akistan TimesSources:www.google.com
