Ireland claim victory over Bangladesh
Sunday, 15 April 2007Ireland won permanent one-day international status tonight after beating Bangladesh by 74 runs in the Cricket World Cup Super Eight in Barbados.
Victory for the Irish over a second Test opponent - they famously beat Pakistan in the group stage to qualify for the Super Eight - added a new chapter to their World Cup fairytale.
Two wins over major teams qualifies associate countries for full limited-overs status so Ireland, who eyed this match as their big chance to avoid the second-round wooden spoon, have become the 12th name on an International Cricket Council ranking list which includes the 10 Test-playing nations and Kenya.
The size of their achievement was put into perspective by the fact Bangladesh ousted India from the competition, thrashed South Africa last weekend and made England sweat on a four-wicket win on Wednesday.
Success was founded on opener William Porterfield's industrious 85 and clean late hitting from Kevin O'Brien (48 off 40 balls) and Trent Johnston (30 off 23 balls).
Porterfield - winner of the man-of-the-match award - dominated an opening stand of 92 with Jeremy Bray and set the platform for a late assault which propelled Ireland to 243 for seven.
Ireland captain Johnston's decision to take on the new ball in early morning conditions rather than have to force the pace against Bangladesh's trio of spinners in a run chase paid off, as early consolidation preceded 98 runs from the final dozen overs.
Their usual enthusiastic fielding, paired with regular wickets, meant it was a comfortable enough victory and cause for further Caribbean celebration.
Fittingly, it began when Johnston bowled opposite number Habibul Bashar to spark jubilation in front of one of the biggest crowds of the tournament.
When the schedule was planned out today's contest was supposed to be between India and Pakistan, so with thousands of tickets bought on-line in the sub-continent but not taken up, organisers allowed free entry to bolster the 500-strong Blarney Army.
