BAN VS IRE 1ST ODI

Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. The two side will meet again for the second ODI on 20th March. The first ball will be at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT), but as you all know, you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Tamim Iqbal, the victorious skipper is in for a chat. He says the way they batted was exceptional as the surface had something for the bowlers early on. He adds that Shakib Al Hasan was brilliant and also special recognization to Mushfiqur Rahim as he came in and went on a counter from ball 1 which is not easy. He also adds that the first 20-25 overs, the surface was on a slower side and this is why the batting needs to be applauded. Credits Mushfiqur Rahim for his work behind the sticks and informs that the team has complete faith in him. On his bowling unit he says Taskin Ahmed is a world class bowler and Ebadot Hossain is not far from being one.

Towhid Hridoy wins the Man of the Match award for his exception outing with the bat on debut. He starts by thanking the almighty. Informs that he is hurt a bit as he could not get a ton on his debut but then he is extremely happy about his innings. Mentions that Mushfiqur Rahim helped him a lot in the middle to remain calm. Adds that he just tried to execute his plans and that worked wonderfully for him.

Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland is in for a chat. He starts by saying that at the half-way stage they felt that this was a total they could chase and also the wicket was better but the batters failed to click after the opening stand was broken. He also adds that the team was a bit of unaware about the surroundings but no excuses and hopes that they will be way better in the next game. He closes by saying that they want to compete and beat teams like Bangladesh on a regular basis.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Earlier in the innings, Bangladesh kept losing early wickets. They were three down inside the Powerplay 1, but Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy took the game to the opposition. Both the batters though slipped out in their 90s. Mushfiqur Rahim's cameo of 44 runs down the order really cause a lot of harm to this Ireland side. Later, the lower-middle order contributed a little bit to record Bangladesh's highest ever score in ODI cricket. Eventually, it was a bit too much for Ireland.

Bangladesh bowlers were on fire from the word go. The Ireland openers were able to deal the seamers quite easily with the new ball in hand, to change the trajectory of the match, Tamim Iqbal decided to bring the Nasum Ahmed very early in the Powerplay 1. Still, the Irish batters were scoring runs comfortably. But once, Shakib Al Hasan and Nasum Ahmed started working in tandem, the run flow was certainly halted. Shakib Al Hasan drew the first blood and that opened the floodgates, which Bangladesh capitalized on. It was the seam bowlers who benefitted the most, as Taskin Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain combined for 6 wickets, off which four belonged to the latter. Nasum Ahmed picked up three wickets, when he took care of the tail-enders. Also, all of this couldn't have been possible without Mushfiqur Rahim behind the sticks. The veteran was a vital asset, as he held on to 5 catches in the entire innings. Overall, it was a complete bowling performance from the Bangladesh unit.

Chasing 339 that too in Bangladesh is always going to be a tough ask, nonetheless, Ireland got off to a promising start.The runs were not coming in quickly early on, but it was all about assessing the conditions. Paul and Stephen did just that and they put their feet on the gas at the back end of Powerplay 1. The openers set a solid platform up top with a 60-run opening stand, although it went downhill ever since this stand was broken. Ireland lost the remaining 9 wickets for just 95 runs. This is a big concern for Ireland. They surely need their middle-order batters to step up in the next encounter. It was only George Dockrell who tried to force an issue here with his knock of 45 runs.

What a dominating performance from the hosts. Bangladesh have take an early lead in this ODI and that too quite convincingly. Ireland will head back to the drawing board and try to come back stronger in the next outing.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Fuller delivery in the line of stumps, George Dockrell looks to clear his front leg and loft this over mid off but misses out on this and the ball has crashed into the stumps. It is all over as Bangladesh has won this by a margin of 183 runs.

Slower one, full and on off. George Dockrell gets under it and skies it towards long off. The fielder from mid off gives it a chase but it lands safely.

A length ball, around off, that comes back in. Hume gets it to square leg off the inside edge. One taken. For a second, Ebadot Hossain thought he has his four-fer here.

Full toss, on off. Hume pushes it to point.

A wide yorker, outside off. Hume looks to dig it out but fails to do so.

FOUR! Fuller one on off, George Dockrell smashes this uppishly to long off for a boundary. Litton Das does well to get a hand on this but fails to collect this and the ball has travelled past the boundary.

Fuller outside off, Graham Hume pushes this to backward point for a single.

Fuller one around middle, George Dockrell pushes this to deep mid-wicket for a single.