Bangladesh A recorded an emphatic win to take a 2-1 lead over the Ireland Wolves in the ongoing five match one-day series. They won the fourth match by 85 runs after a sensational batting display from Mominul Haque, who missed out on a rare feat of belting a double-century in the 50-over format. His 182-run innings, however, is currently the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi batsman in List A cricket outside the country.

Mominul’s brilliant knock, coupled with the important contributions of Zakir Hasan and Mohammad Mithun, helped the Bangladeshi side pose a daunting total of 386 for four in 50 overs.

Despite losing an early wicket, Mominul kept piling the pressure on the Irish bowlers and stitched two match-defining stands with Zakir and Mithun, before getting run out. Zakir made 79 runs before returning to the pavilion and Mithun remained unbeaten after scoring 87 off 51 deliveries and provided the finishing touch to Bangladesh A’s innings.

In reply, Ireland A were all-out at 301 in 46.1 overs. They also dealt an early blow before Andrew Balbirnie restored the innings by building crucial partnerships with James MCollum, Stuart Thomson and Simi Singh.

McCollum and Thomson posted 40-odd runs each and Simi Singh also picked up a half-century, but the rest of the batters failed to capitalize on those innings and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Khaled Ahmed and Fazle Mahmud picked up three wickets each for Bangladesh A, while Shariful Islam and Mohammad Saifuddin shared the four remaining wickets.

To avoid a series defeat, Ireland A will need to win the fifth and final match at Dublin, on August 10. Following the last one-dayer, they will host Bangladesh A for a three-match T20 series.

 

Scores:

BAN A - 386/4 (50 Overs)