DHAKA, March 19: Skipper Mohammad Ashraful returned to form with an unbeaten 64 as Bangladesh avenged their 2007 World Cup loss to Ireland with a convincing eight-wicket win in Mirpur on Tuesday.
Shahriar Nafees also excelled with an undefeated 90 as the hosts reached their target of 186 in the 40th over. The left-handed opener’s 121-ball innings included 11 boundaries.
Ashraful’s 64 off 90 deliveries were spiced with eight fours as he Shahriar put 130 for the unbroken third-wicket partnership.
Earlier, Ireland mustered 185-7 in their 50 overs after choosing to bat first at the Shere Bangladesh National Stadium with Alex Cusack top-scoring with 38 after the visitors stumbled to 115-6 in the 35th over.
Scoreboard
IRELAND:
W.T.S. Porterfield c Ghosh b Mashrafe 1
R. Strydom c Ghosh b Mashrafe 8
E.J.G. Morgan b Farhad 35
N.J. O’Brien c Farhad b Mahmudullah 15
K.J. O’Brien lbw b Saqibul 20
A.C. Botha run out 22
A.R. Cusack c Farhad b Mashrafe 38
D.T. Johnston not out 31
D. Langford-Smith not out 3
EXTRAS (B-5, LB-4, W-3) 12
TOTAL (for seven wkts, 50 overs) 185
FALL OF WKTS: 1-8, 2-20, 3-43, 4-81, 5-97, 6-115, 7-180.