Ireland snatch thrilling win

Ireland beat Bangladesh by five runs to win the ICC World Twenty20 2012 warm-up match at Moors Sports Club Ground in Colombo on Monday.

Asked to bat first Ireland posted an impressive 164-six in its allotted 20 overs. Bangladesh ended at 159-9 in its 20 overs.

Earlier, Ireland opener Paul Stirling gave a rousing start to his team making 71 off 41 balls with five boundaries and five sixes. Stirling added 64 runs for the second wicket with Ed Joyce (39). There was a middle-order collapse thereafter as Ireland's scoring rate dropped.

For Bangladesh, senior bowlers Mashrafe Mortaza (2-33) and Shakib-Al-Hasan (2-21) were the key wicket-takers.

In its chase, Shakib went beserk after the early fall of Mohammad Ashraful. The left-hander (52 off 23 balls, 3x4, 5x6) added 63 runs for the second wicket with Tamim Iqbal (35). Thereafter there was a collapse as Bangladesh slipped from 103-2 to 126-6.

Zia-ur-Rehman lived up to his reputation as he provided some late order flourish, but he fell for 26 off 22 balls in the final over to dent Bangladesh's hopes.

For Ireland, Kevin O'Brien (3-24), Alex Cusack (2-28) and Trent Johnston (2-23) were the key wicket-takers.

Bangladesh travel to Kandy later today in time for its opening Group D match against New Zealand on 21 September. Ireland's first game in the tournament is against Australia on 19 September at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.