The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

A marvelous 129 by opener Tamim Iqbal powered Bangladesh to whitewash Ireland 3-0 when the Tigers outplayed Ireland by 79 runs in the third and last ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Saturday.

Earlier, Bangladesh defeated Ireland by eight wickets in the first ODI at the same venue on March 18 and then, the Tigers beat Ireland by 84 runs in the second ODI at the same venue on March 20.

Tamim faced 136 deliveries in his 204-minute innings, which was laced with 15 fours and a huge six.

Winning the toss Bangladesh chose to bat first and piled up a mammoth 293 for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 50 overs and then the Tigers bowled out Ireland for 214 off 45.3 overs.

Openers Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees made a solid start as the two youngsters contributed together 109 in the first-wicket stand.

Tamim Iqbal was adjudged the man of the match while consistent Shahriar Nafees, who hit a superb 54 was adjudged the man of the series. Shahriar played 56 balls in his 83-minute innings, which was studded with nine shots beyond the ropes.

Earlier, Shahriar remained undefeated with 90 in the first ODI against Ireland and the opener hit a fine 60 in the second ODI against Ireland.

After departure of Shahriar Nafees, Aftab Ahmed came to the crease but he returned to the pavilion for a duck.

Later, Bangladesh lost their five wickets for 178 runs. Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah Riyad built another notable partnership as they put on together 82 runs in the seventh-wicket stand before Tamim Iqbal was caught by Porterfield off Langford-Smith when the team's total was 260 for the loss of six wickets in 47.3 overs.

Mahmudullah Riyad deprived from a half century for just one run as the number seven batsman remained undefeated with 49 off 44 balls amid four fours.

Earlier, Mohammad Ashraful added 22 runs to Bangladesh total while Mashrafe Bin Mortaza hit a quick-fire 16 using just seven deliveries.

Langford-Smith bagged three wickets conceding 53 runs while A Cusack and K O'Brien got two wickets each for 30 and 58 runs respectively.

Later, Niall O'Brien was the only batsmen for Ireland who shone with the willow making a nice 70 off 74 balls with five fours and a six.

Reinhardt Strydom added 37 runs to Ireland's total.

Four of Ireland batsmen were the victims of run out.

Shakib Al Hasan and Abdur Razzak bagged a pair of wickets each at the cost of 46 and 50 runs.

Besides, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Mahmudullah Riyad took one wicket a piece.

Today Ireland team will leave the city for home.