Ireland came very close to upsetting Bangladesh. However, one would imagine nerves had a part to play as Bangladesh pulled off a stunning rival towards the very end of the match to have this one in the bag in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
When Bangladesh got off to a rollicking start, no one would have imagined that the hosts would be fighting to beat Ireland by the end of the match. But that is exactly as it panned.

After chasing leather for the better part of the first ten overs, Ireland managed to pull things back with the third wicket to fall, that of Tamim Iqbal for forty-four through Andre Botha who picked up three wickets for the innings.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hasan tried not to squander the plundrous start through cameos of their own but it was not enough as Bangladesh ended up not helping themselves at 205 all out, George Dockerell really pulling things back with a couple of wickets as well.

In response, Ireland lost their openers early but looked comfortable to bag this match with the O’Brien brothers keeping matters in perspective. However, the loss of Niall O’Brien for thirty-eight on 110 for five followed by that of Kevin O’Brien batting on thirty-seven with the score on 151 for six meant that the Bangladesh captain, Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Ashraful had done their part of the job with two wickets apiece.

However, the final nail in the coffin was struck by Shafiul Islam who struck with destructive effect, picking the final four Ireland wickets as Ireland crashed for 178, Bangladesh experience in playing the big teams more perhaps paying off in the game where edge meant everything.