Shakib Al Hasan`s all-round effort went in vain as Ireland beat Bangladesh by five runs to win its ICC World Twenty20 2012 warm-up match at Moors Sports Club Ground in Colombo on Monday.
Asked to bat first Ireland posted an impressive 164 for six in its allotted 20 overs.
Bangladesh ended at 159-9 in its 20 overs. Earlier, Ireland opener Paul Stirling gave a rousing start to his team making 71 off 41 balls with five boundaries and five sixes. Stirling added 64 runs for the second wicket with Ed Joyce (39). There was a middle-order collapse thereafter as Ireland`s scoring rate dropped.
For Bangladesh, senior bowlers Mashrafe Mortaza (2-33) and Shakib-Al-Hasan (2-21) were the key wicket-takers.
In its chase, Shakib went berserk after the early fall of Mohammad Ashraful. Shakib (52: 23b, 3x4, 5x6) added 63 runs for the second wicket with Tamim Iqbal (35). Thereafter there was a collapse as Bangladesh slipped from 103-2 to 126-6.
Thereafter Zia-ur-Rehman lived upto his reputation as he provided some late order flourish, but he fell for 26 off 22 balls in the final over to dent Bangladesh`s hopes.
For Ireland, Kevin O`Brien (3-24), Alex Cusack (2-28) and Trent Johnston (2-23) were the key wicket-takers.
Bangladesh travels to Kandy later today in time for its opening Group D match against New Zealand on 21 September. Ireland`s first game in the tournament is against Australia on 19 September at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
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