On Saturday, Ireland lost their opening one-day international to an overpowering Bangladesh team by a score of 183 runs.
Bangladesh recorded their highest ODI total when they built up a score of 338-8 after being sent into bat, fresh off their T20I series clean-sweep victory over the world champions England.
After Bangladesh surpassed the 333-8 they made against Australia at the 2019 World Cup, the middle-order duo of Shakib Al Hasan (93 off 89 deliveries) and Towhid Hridoy (92 off 85)—playing in his first ODI—led the charge. Mushfiqur Rahim contributed a quick-fire 44 from 26 as well.
Although Ireland’s bowlers were unable to capitalize on the early departure of Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal for three, Graham Hume finished with numbers of 4-60.
Ireland made a promising start to their difficult run chase by putting on 60 runs for the first wicket, but Bangladesh quickly tightened the screws as openers Stephen Doheny (34) and Paul Stirling (22) quickly left the field.
Even though seasoned all-rounder George Dockrell contributed 45, the tourists quickly found themselves in a 76-5 position, which only served to prolong the inevitable.
Bangladeshi left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed (3-43) and quick bowlers Ebadot Hossain (4-42) and Taskin Ahmed (2-25) destroyed Ireland’s top order.
In the end, Ireland was bowled out for 155 in the 31st over, and Bangladesh won the first game of the three-match series easily. Monday is the day of the second one-day game between the two teams.
