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Tamim Iqbal’s maiden ODI century allowed Bangladesh to complete a clean sweep against Ireland. Tamim’s 129, the second-highest score by a Bangladeshi in ODIs, was complemented by breezy knocks from opener Shariar Nafees and Mahmudullah as the hosts galloped to 293. For Ireland, Niall O’Brien offered the lone resistance with a 73-ball 70 but it only delayed the inevitable.

Choosing to bat, Bangladesh were off to a flier with Nafees being the early aggressor, taking four fours off Kevin O’Brien’s first two overs. Tamim soon cut loose as well and was given a life in the 12th over when Andre Botha shelled a return catch. Ireland pulled things back as medium-pacer Alex Cusack bowled a double-wicket maiden and Bangladesh soon found themselves at 179 for 5 after 37 overs, having slipped from 105 without loss.

With wickets tumbling at the other end, Tamim soldiered on, moving smoothly towards his century. Mahmudullah played a superb hand, clobbering 49 off 44, and the pair put on 82 from just 10.5 overs. Tamim was finally dismissed with the score at 260, after an excellent knock which featured 15 fours and a six. Mashrafe Mortaza also swung his bat around to push Bangladesh to their second-highest score in one-dayers and virtually shut Ireland out of the match.

Ireland got off to a promising start, reaching 34 in a little more than seven overs before a series of run-outs derailed the chase. William Porterfield, the opener, was the first to be dismissed, stranded by a sharp effort from Abdur Razzak before Reinhardt Strydom joined hands with Niall to provide momentum to the chase. But at 126 for 3, Strydom fell and Bangladesh tightened the noose with three more run-outs as Ireland slumped to 154 for 7.

Source:Cricket News