Tigers post highest-ever ODI total of 338

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and debutant Towhid Hridoy missed out on centuries but their fifties helped Bangladesh post their highest-ever total in ODIs, 338 for eight, in the first ODI of the three-match series against Ireland at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. 

The Tigers had managed 333, their previous best, against Australia in the 2019 World Cup.       

Both Shakib and Hridoy were dismissed in their 90s, with the former edging a full one to the keeper off right-arm pacer Graham Hume and Hridoy missing a half-volley that crashed onto the stumps off the same bowler.

Shakib hit nine fours for his 89-ball 93, while Hridoy hit two big ones down the ground and put away eight fours for his 85-ball 92.

There were more records that were made as Shakib became the third player in ODI history, after Sanath Jayasuriya and Shahid Afridi to register 7000 runs and 300 wickets in ODIs, while Towhid Hridoy registered the highest score on debut in ODIs for Bangladesh.

Following Shakib's dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim took charge of some late fireworks as he hit three sixes and as many fours for his 26-ball 44 to help set up a 300-plus score for the Tigers.

Earlier, Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie won the toss and put Bangladesh into bat.

Tamim Iqbal's struggle with the bat continued as the Bangladesh skipper departed in the third over of the innings when he poked away from his body an overpitched outswinger off Mark Adair. He scored a nine-ball three.

A 34-run stand between Liton Das and the in-form Najmul Hossain Shano followed before the former, who scored a 31-ball 26, ballooned a back-of-a-length ball while trying to punch it off the back foot.

Shanto looked good for his 34-ball 25 but off-spinner Andy McBrine managed to bring one back with the arm from around the wicket to hit timber.

Shakib then went on to stitch a 135-run stand with Hridoy as the Tigers eyed a total in excess of 300. The left-handed batter even took Harry Tector for 22 runs in the 35th over to lead the charge.

Mushfiqur's late surge, and cameos from Taskin Ahmed (11), Yasir Ali (17), and Nasum Ahmed (11) ensured Bangladesh post a heavy total.

Ireland's Graham Hume was the pick of the bowlers as he returned with figures of four wickets for 60 runs.