NOTTINGHAM, England, CMC – Kevin O’Brien hit an unbeaten 39 from 17 balls to help Ireland seal a place in the Super Eights of the ICC World Twenty20 Championship, when they prevailed over Bangladesh by six wickets yesterday.
O’Brien struck four fours and two sixes, as Ireland successfully chased 138 for victory in the seventh match of the competition at Trent Bridge.
The all-rounder formalised the result with 10 balls to spare, when he lofted Rubel Hossain for a straight six.
The result condemned Bangladesh to becoming the first team to formally exit the competition, after they lost their opening Group-A match against India on Saturday at the same venue by 25 runs. Ireland, a non-Test playing nation, achieved their stated objective for the competition of reaching the final eight to follow-up their performance at the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, where they also reached the Super Eights.
O’Brien’s older brother Niall had given Ireland the early momentum with three fours and three sixes in 40 from 25 balls, and put on 55 for the second wicket with his captain William Porterfield.
But three wickets fell for 28 runs in the space of 28 balls to leave Ireland wobbling on 89 for four before the younger O’Brien joined John Mooney and they carried their side over the threshold.
Earlier, Mashrafe Mortaza hit the top score of 33 not out batting at eight, as Bangladesh reached 138 for seven from their 20 overs.
Bangladesh were 99 for three with just three overs left when Mortaza arrived, and he struck two sixes and 20 runs in all off the final over, bowled by Alex Cusack, that gave his side a late boost.
Trent Johnston collected three wickets for 20 runs from his allotted four overs to be the most successful Ireland bowler.
