Ireland beat Bangladesh by 74 runs, redeem pride

Bridgetown, Barbados, Apr 15 (UNI) Ireland redeemed some of their lost pride by defeating Bangladesh by 74 runs in the Super Eights league match of the cricket World Cup at Kensington Oval here today.

Chasing a victory target of 244, Bangladesh were all out for 169 in 41.2 overs, giving Ireland their first points in the Super Eights.

Irish captain Trent Johnston's ploy of batting first after winning the toss paid dividends. By using the bouncy wicket first, he denied the Bangladesh spin trio of any possible success in the afternoon.

''I personally needed this win very much. We were having a dream run and except the Australia match we were not doing too badly although we are not winning. Today's win will give the folks back home a lot to celebrate,'' said Johnston.

So emotional was the Ireland team that the players took a lap of honour with coach Adrian Birell taking the fans who came all the way for this moment of joy and happiness.

''We are really very happy and this win mattered very much to all of us. We can go home with our head high,'' added Johnston.

Bangladesh were trapped by Johnston within the first ten overs despite the fact that his strike bowler Rankin let him down by not being able to control his pace and line.

Rankin, however, gave Ireland the first wicket in the form of Shariar Nafees and Andrew Botha, returning to the team after an injury, picked up two quick wickets to seal the fate of Bangladesh.

Botha dismissed Aftbab Ahmed with his very first ball and then with some luck ran out Saqibul Hasan.

Bangladesh never recovered from the early damage and Johnston marshalled his bowling resources with great depth and picked up Bangla wickets at regular intervals.

Mohammed Ashraful did show some promise, giving a glimpse of his now famous innings against South Africa, to revive the hope for some time but once again Johnston was better prepared.

The Irish captain brought in Rankin and allowed him the liberty of banging the ball short. Ashraful, a compulsive hooker, went for the trap and Langford-Smith made no mistake to pick up the catch at deep square leg.

It was all over for Bangladesh by then. They were a pale shadow of their great form which saw them beat South Africa and except occasional shows of brilliance, the famous tiger spirit was nowhere to be seen.

Habibur Bashar, the diminutive captain of Bangladesh put up some resistance and scored a defiant 30 but Johnston broke his defence and bowled him comprehensively.

Ireland completed the task in the 42nd over and took home the stumps as souvenir realizing well that this might be their only consolation win of the World Cup amid the big boys.

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