William Porterfield scored a superb 108 as Ireland overcame Bangladesh with an assured batting performance that bodes well for tomorrow's game and for future challenges!
Porterfield said, '' I've been feeling good in the Twenty20s back in England and always knew it would be different coming back to a 50-over game with a bit more time. I had a few rushes of blood out there but I was very happy with the way I was hitting the ball.''
Ireland made an excellent start with the ball which they were unable to convert. Johnston got Kayes caught and bowled in the second over and then Tamim slashed one to second slip in the next over from the bowling of Rankin. After Islam was caught at first slip from Johnston, Bangladesh looked shaky on 33-3.
A 107 run partnership between Siddique and Shakib rescued the Bangladesh innings, Siddique going on to make his ton in 121 deliveries, nudging the ball around for 53 singles. Shakib made 50 before falling to Stirling, Ireland constantly shook things up with numerous bowling changes. Uncharacteristic dropped catches by both Johnston and Cusack did not help the Irish cause.
After Siddique eventually fell to Kevin O'Brien Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals. Mamadullah was reluctant to leave when Wilson took a great catch, the fielder waiting in front of the boundary rope for an age for the ball to drop before jumping in the air to prevent the six and take the wicket!
The return of Rankin and a wicket for Cusack largely put paid to the Bangladesh tail. Kevin O'Brien came on for the last few overs needlessly bouncing and hitting Razzak. Still, Ireland had a target of 235 which looked modest in comparison to what Bangladesh could have set, they failed to capitalise on the last 8 overs only scoring 42.
The pick of the Irish bowlers were Rankin with 3-43 and Johnston with 2-24, the others plugged away efficiently, particularly Stirling with his off-spin.
Bangladesh opened with Kayes and Rasel. In reply Paul Stirling got Ireland on track quickly scoring 17 of 19 runs in the first 3 overs. Porterfield also started to get hold of it as Ireland raced to 74 for no loss in 11. Both batsmen were playing some fine shots before Stirling was bowled by Razzak for 52, the half century came in 51 balls.
The departure of Stirling did not seem to affect Porterfield who then made his 50 after being joined by Cusack who needed to show some grit coming off the back of consecutive ducks. His partnership with Porterfield enabled the Irish captain to make a fine century. The only blip being when the Donemana man was dropped on 97 by Mahmudullah, he went on to make 108, eventually being bowled by Shakib.
Niall O'Brien contributed 5 taking the score to 217, he was adjudged LBW to Rasel. His brother Kevin finished the job along with the defiant Cusack who fell short of his 50 by 5 runs.
It is hard to recollect a more assured batting performance by an Irish top order. The threat of Bangladesh's spin did not emerge or was not allowed to by Porterfield and co. Make no mistake, this Bangaldesh side have come straight from England where they blew hot and cold, but still they are a fully credible test playing nation.
For coach Phil Simmons there is still room for improvement, he said, ''Our fielding was nowhere close to what it's supposed to be, we usually don't drop catches and miss that amount of run outs. There is still plenty to work on for tomorrow.''
Result - Ireland win by 6 wickets
Bangladesh 234-9 in 50 overs
Siddique 100, Shakib 50
B Rankin 3-34, T Johnson 2-24, P Stirling 2-40
Ireland 235-3 in 45 overs.
Porterfield 108, Stirling 52, Cusack 45*
Ireland: W Porterfield (Capt), P Stirling, N O'Brien, G Wilson, K O'Brien, A Cusack, A White, J Mooney, T Johnston, B Rankin, G Dockrell.
Bangladesh: T Iqbal Khan, I Kayes, J Siddique, J Islam, S Al Hassan, M Rahim, M Riyad, M Bin Mortaza (Capt), A Razzak, R Hossain, S Rasel.
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lianka), Norman Malcolm (West Indies)
RSA Insurance Man of the Match - William Porterfield
Toss - Ireland
By Rupert Heather
