The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

A 5-wicket haul by skipper Iktedar Nazeef enabled Bangladesh Under-15 team to reach the semi-final of the CLICO International Under-15 Cricket Championship beating Ireland by five wickets at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Couva, West Indies, on Tuesday.

In the semis in Grenada today (Thursday), Bangladesh play Pakistan while hosts West Indies meet Malaysia.

Batting first, Ireland were all out for 140 in 48 overs with Hugo MacDonnell scoring 53 runs and B Whylie 39 runs.

At one stage, Ireland were 77 for 1, but devastating bowling by Bangladesh skipper Iktedar Nazeef forced them to fold their innings at 140.

Iktedar captured five wickets for 18 runs in his eight-over spell with a maiden to be adjudged man of the match.

Asif Hasan, who took five wickets in the last match against Kenya on Sunday, claimed two wickets for 18 runs against Ireland while Khairuddin took one wicket for 36.

Chasing an easy target, Bangladesh lost five wickets to score the match-winning 142 runs in 31.5 overs with Didar Hossain contributing 61 runs and Rakin Ahmed not out 48.

E Conway claimed three wickets for 32 runs in six overs.

Earlier, Bangladesh earned an emphatic 187-run win against Kenya Under-15 team in the second round league match on Sunday after losing to hosts West Indies by 37 runs in the first round match on Saturday at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad.