The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

A five-wicket haul by medium pacer Farhad Reza guided Bangladesh to clinch the ODI series 2-0 when the Tigers defeated the visiting Ireland by 84 runs in the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Thursday.

Earlier, Bangladesh outplayed Ireland by eight wickets in the first ODI at the same venue on March 18.

Farhad Reza played the key role in wrecking Ireland innings and completed as 10-3-42-5.

Left-arm spinners Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan also bowled pretty good as Abdur Razzak harpooned three wickets for 27 runs while Shakib Al Hasan grabbed two wickets in exchange of 16 runs.

Electing to bat first, Bangladesh posted a fighting 246 for the loss of eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs and then the Tigers bundled out Ireland for 162 off 38.3 overs.

Bangladesh made a brisk start as Shahriar Nafees and Tamim Iqbal, the two youngsters, piled up 94 runs in the opening stand. Shahriar Nafees, who hit an undefeated 90 in the previous match, struck a superb 60 facing 92 balls including five fours before he was unfortunately run out by Langford-Smith while Tamim Iqbal hit a polished 46 off 84 balls with four fours and a six.

After dismissal of Tamim and Shahriar Nafees when the team's total was 135 for the loss of two wickets, Aftab Ahmed and skipper Mohammad Ashraful built another notable partnership before Aftab Ahmed was out making the day's highest of 61 when the board was giving a reading of 199 for the loss of three wickets.

Aftab used 57 deliveries in his 71-minute knock which was ornamented with two sixes and two fours.

Mohammad Ashraful cracked a run-a-ball 38 amid three fours while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza hit a windy 26 playing just 17 deliveries. He sent the ball three times over the ropes and one time over the fence.

Langford-Smith got three wickets conceding 43 runs while W McCallan, G Thompson and A Botha took one wicket apiece.

A Botha, W Porterfield, A Casack and K O'Brien added 34, 25, 24 and 21 runs respectively to Ireland total.

Fardad Reza was adjudged the man of the match for his outstanding bowling performance.

Tomorrow Bangladesh will take on Ireland in the third ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.