Tigers feast on biggest ODI win

Bangladesh showed authority in their favoured 50-over format, registering their biggest victory in terms of runs as they won the opening ODI against Ireland by 183 runs at the Sylhet International Cricket stadium yesterday.

Bangladesh's biggest win in terms of runs prior to yesterday was a 169-run win against Zimbabwe at the same venue in 2020.

Debutant Towhid Hridoy and Shakib Al Hasan missed out on centuries, both being dismissed in the nineties, while Mushfiqur Rahim scored a quickfire 44 during his 26-ball cameo as Bangladesh posted their highest-ever ODI total of 338 for eight in 50 overs. Bangladesh's previous highest total for was 333 for eight against Australia during the 2019 ODI World Cup.

In chase, Ireland were eventually bundled out for 155 in 30.5 overs. Ebadot Hossain registered career-best ODI bowling figures, scalping four wickets for 42 runs while left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed took three. Taskin Ahmed also got in on the act with two wickets. Shakib got the other.

Bangladesh were in a spot of bother after being asked to bat early in their innings, losing skipper Tamim Iqbal for three. Liton Das and in-form Nazmul Hossain Shanto also were also dismissed in the twenties as the hosts were reduced to 81 for three inside 17 overs.

It was then that Hridoy and Shakib rebuilt the innings, adding 135 runs off 125 balls for the fourth wicket to lay the platform for a big total.

Shakib, eyeing his tenth ODI century, fell short by just seven runs after being caught behind off the bowling of Graham Hume. He made 93 off 89 balls, striking six fours.

Hridoy also impressed, showing maturity and intent, and the right-hander scored the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi on debut before falling for 92 off 85 balls, featuring eight fours and two sixes.

Ireland's right-arm seamer Hume registered his best bowling figures, ended up with four wickets for 60 runs.