<<NEWS>>>

Bangladesh All Out For 205 As Ireland Start Strongly
25 February 2011, source : Cricketworld


Ireland gave themselves a strong chance of producing the first upset of the Cricket World Cup by bowling out hosts Bangladesh for 205 in Dhaka.

Andre Botha took three wickets while Trent Johnston and George Dockrell chipped in with two apiece as the home side failed to make best use of winning the toss and deciding to bat first.

They were going along nicely when Tamim Iqbal, who top scored with 44 in 43 balls, was taking on the Irish bowlers, but fell away badly once he was dismissed and Ireland reasserted some control on proceedings.

Experienced seamers Botha and Johnston - veterans of Ireland's World Cup win over Bangladesh in the Caribbean four years ago - led the way before young left-arm spinner Dockrell removed set batsman Mushfiqur Rahim for 36 and ruined Mohammad Ashraful's latest comeback by dismissing him for one.

Raqibul Hasan made 38 in 69 balls as he worked hard to get Bangladesh's innings back on track after they were reduced to 86 for four and a late blast of 29 in 38 balls from Naeem Islam ensured they would at least pass 200 and give their bowlers something to work with.

Botha's figures were three for 32, Johnston's two for 40, Dockrell's two for 23 while there was also a wicket for John Mooney, who had Imrul Kayes stumped early on for 12.

Bangladesh lost their World Cup opener to co-hosts India by 87 runs while this is Ireland's first match of the tournament.