Rain washes out Tigers' opener

Sports Desk: Incessant rain washed out the opening match of the tri-nation series between Bangladesh and Ireland after Bangladesh had reached 157 for four in 31.1 overs at Malahide in Dublin on Friday.

Bangladesh, however, managed to collect 157 runs in 31.1 overs after losing four top-order batsmen.

Opener Tamim Iqbal scored 64 runs off 88 balls and Mahmudullah Riyad bagged 43 runs off 56 balls were on batting in the 5th stand after the departure of the Tigers stand in captain Shakib Al Hasan (14) in 14.5 overs.

Shakib was caught by Niall O'Brien off Peter Chase who captured three wickets for 33 runs in six overs for the host side.

Bangladesh’s dependable and experienced batsman Mushfiqur Rahim, 13 off 17, was departed from crease at 47/3 in 11.1 overs, after sharing a 38-run stand in 7.5 overs in the 3rd wicket with Tamim.  Mushfiqur was caught by Gary Wilson off Barry McCarthy’s bowling.

Bangladesh suffered the early jolt losing two quick wickets -- Soumya Sarkar and Sabbir Rahman -- at 9/2 in 3.2 overs.

The Tigers lost their first wicket when Soumya Sarkar scored just 5 runs off 7 balls departed on 8/1 in 1.5 overs.

After Soumya, Sabbir came at crease to pair Tamim, but left with duck facing 3 balls.

Soumya was the first victim, caught by NJ O'Brien off Peter Chase bowling while Sabbir was caught by Tim Murtagh also off a Chase’s bowling.

Besides, Chase’s three-for, BJ McCarthy took one for 15 runs in three overs for the side elected to bowl first.

risingbd/DHAKA/May 12, 2017/Amirul