Bangladesh rode on Sakib al Hasan’s all-round performance and Mushfiqur Rahim’s blistering half-century to earn a confidence-boosting 44-run win over Ireland in their last practice match at Fatullah on Friday. Mushfiq remained undefeated on 59 from 30 balls while Sakib scored an unbeaten 32-ball 58 and later picked up two wickets to help restrict Ireland to 135-8 after posting 179-3 to cap off an impressive performance by the hosts.
Bangladesh can also heave a sigh of relief as recovering pace bowler Mashrafee bin Murtaza returned to action and scalped 2-28 while Mushfiq took up glovework for the first time since injuring his finger in the second Test against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Mashrafee was recuperating from a side strain but looked good after removing Ed Joyce (15) in his first spell while the right-arm paceman also dismissed Ireland’s highest scorer and skipper William Porterfield (44) in an one-over spell.
Ireland could hardly make a match out of it as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals with off-spinner Sohag Gazi opening the bowling attack and straightaway removed opener Paul Stirling (five) in the first delivery of his second over.
Bangladesh managed to press the tourists with their improved body language compared to the last warm-up win against the United Arab Emirates, and appeared sharp in the field by holding four catches and failing to grasp only one, courtesy Nasir Hossain at deep mid-on.
The hosts would have been satisfied with their batting display as Mushfiq and Sakib registered two impressive half-centuries. The duo blasted 116 runs in the last 9.5 overs in their undefeated fourth-wicket stand to help their side post a respectable 179-3.
Ireland were looking to gather some momentum as opener Tamim Iqbal and Sabbir Rahman (23) departed in successive overs following a 48-run association for the second wicket.
Tamim regained some of his touch before the ICC World Twenty20 2014 gets underway making 32 which included two fours. The left-hander also danced down the wicket to hammer a six against off-spinner Stirling.
Sabbir also showed some indications of his T20 skills, coming into the side replacing Mominul Haque. He made a run-a-ball 23 with the help of a boundary and a six before being bowled by leg-spinner Andy McBrine.
Sakib responded to the situation as per requirement and gave strike to Mushfiq. The skipper broke the shackles in the 14th over bowled by left-arm spinner George Dockrell, hitting the bowler for a straight six and a four off consecutive deliveries.
Both batsmen appeared to be in total control of the situation. They matched each other’s efforts by playing some blazing shots as runs flowed towards the end of the innings, with the last two overs yielding 33 runs.
Mushfiq was more attacking of the two, smashing 59 which was studded with two huge sixes and eight fours. He brought up his fifty by executing a delightful on-drive off Timothy Murtagh which went for a four.
Sakib’s innings on the other hand was decorated with seven fours and a six. He
was particularly harsh on Alex Cusack, hammering the paceman for four boundaries in the final over.
The all-rounder brought up his fifty through the second boundary of the over which raced to the mid-wicket region.
BRIEF SCORES
Bangladesh 179-3 in 20 overs (Mushfiq 59 not out, Sakib 58 not out, Tamim 32; P Stirling 1-18) v Ireland 135-8 in 20 overs (W Porterfield 44, STR Thompson 35; Sakib 2-13, Mashrafee 2-28).
Result: Bangladesh won by 44 runs.
-With New Age input
