Bangladesh defeated Ireland by eight wickets in their third match of the tri-nation series at Dublin’s Malahide yesterday. An adept display of skills by the bowlers followed by solid performances by batsmen helped the Tigers hold sway over the Irish on their own soil.
Soumya Sarker was the highlight of Bangladesh batting, scoring an unbeaten 87 off 68 balls. His innings was studded with 11 boundaries and two over-boundaries. The opening pair gave Bangladesh a solid platform in their chase of a 182-run target set by the Irish.
The Tigers lost their first wicket on 95 when Tamim was trapped by O’Brien brothers. Sabbir joined Soumya to advance the proceedings and scored 35 off 34 balls with a strike rate over hundred. Later, Mushfiq came to the pitch to assist Soumya finish off the proceedings. Bangladesh reached home in 27.1 overs scoring 182 runs.
Earlier, Mustafizur Rahman complemented the captain’s decision of electing to bowl first and led the Tigers bowling with figures of 4 for 23 from 9 overs.  Bangladesh created pressure on Ireland from the initial over. Even though Rubel Hossain started the proceedings but Mustafizur Rahman made the first breakthrough for Bangladesh when the latter removed Paul Stirling for three-ball duck in his maiden over.    
Following the departure of William Porterfield and Andy Balbirnie by Mosaddek Hossain and Shakib Al Hasan, opener Ed Joyce and Niall O’ Brien steadied the innings with their 55-run partnership for the fourth wicket stand. For the hosts, Ed Joyce was the highest run-getter with 46 from 74 balls, while Niall O’Brien was the only other Irish batsman to put on some resistance with his 42-ball 30.
Mashrafe brought Mustafizur Rahman back in action and got rid of Kevin O’Brien to break the well-set partnership. The cutter-master, who got back his wicket-taking wont, this time removed Niall O’Brien while Ireland were sprawling at 136 for seven in 33.1 overs.
Sunzamul Islam shone on debut, bagging 2 wickets for 22 from 5 overs, while skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza took 2 wickets for 18. Shakib Al Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain bagged one wicket apiece.