Bangladesh rode on a brilliant century from Najmul Hossain Shanto, fifty from Towhid Hridoy and a composed finish from Mushfiqur Rahim as the visitors grabbed a thrilling three-wicket victory against hosts Ireland in the second and penultimate ODI in Chelmsford in Friday.
Bangladesh now lead by 1-0 in the three-match series. The Tigers batters, despite being in a tricky situation early in their chase of 320 in 45 overs with scoreboard at 40 for two in the 10th over, displayed their experience in the format as they reached finish line with three deliveries to spare.
It was wonderful contest fought throughout the game. Although the Tigers were seemingly running away with the game following two good stands that Shanto stitched with Shakib and Towhid Hridoy, of 61 and 131, respectively, the hosts were still in with a change since Bangladesh did not field more than seven specialist batters.
And Ireland found their belief once number seventh batter Mehedi Hasan Miraz departed with the Tigers still needing 34 off 32. From then on, it was matter of holding nerves as the onus fell on veteran Mushfiqur Rahim to guide the tail to victory. Bangladesh eventually won the battle of nerves, courtesy of the 28-ball 36 by Mushfiqur who got the necessary support from Taijul Islam and Shoriful Islam.
Earlier, Shanto, before misplacing a pull shot off Curtis Campher that led to his wicket, has been near flawless in his 93-ball 117. The left-handed played all around the field but preferred the on side to strike the boundaries, featuring a few superbly timed pull shots and lofted on-drives.
This is Bangladesh's second-highest chase in ODIs, behind the 322 chased in 41.3 overs against the West Indies at the 2019 World Cup in Taunton.
In the first innings, after sent in to bat first, Ireland batter Harry Tector smashed his fourth ODI ton and all-rounder George Dockrell hit a quickfire fifty to power Ireland to 319 for six -- their highest ODI total against Bangladesh, surpassing 292 for eight which they posted in Dublin in 2019.
Tector put away seven fours and 10 sixes, the most by an Ireland batter in ODIs, for his 113-ball 140, and Dockrell's blitz saw him smash four sixes and three fours for his 47-ball 74.
For Bangladesh, Hasan Mahmud impressed as he scalped two wickets giving away 48 runs, while Shoriful's two scalps cost him 83 runs.
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