Murali is not the threat he used to be, say Pakistan

DHAKA,  (Reuters) – A spectacular diving catch by  Tamim Iqbal and a four-wicket blast by paceman Shafiul Islam  spurred Bangladesh to a pulsating 27-run win over Ireland in  their World Cup Group B match today.
Chasing 206 for victory, Ireland looked like they were going  to break Bangladeshi hearts as they were coasting on 151 for  five in the 37th over.
But a diving Iqbal scooped the ball just millimetres off the  ground to get rid of dangerman Niall O’Brien (38) and that  moment of brilliance turned the match on its head.

Muttiah Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan

Needing 55 for victory off 81 balls, Ireland blew their  chance of recording another famous upset as they surrendered  their last five wickets for just 27 runs and they were all out  for 178 — with Shafiul the main architect of their downfall.   Bangladesh, who were hammered by India in their opening  match, sparked wild celebrations among the 25,000 fans packed  into the Shere Bangla Stadium after pulling off an unlikely win.
“We didn’t bat well but our bowlers and fielders show great  character,” a relieved Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan said  during the presentation ceremony.
Shafiul, who has been dogged by fitness problems in the run  up to the match, struggled to find his line and length during  his first two spells.
However, he was at his destructive best in his third spell  and conceded only 10 runs as he picked up the wickets of Kevin  O’Brien (37), Andre Botha (22), Trent Johnston (6) and Boyd  Rankin (3) to finish with 4-21.
Bangladesh’s win would have somewhat taken the gloss off  teenager George Dockrell’s impressive World Cup debut.
Left-arm spinner Dockrell, still only 18, picked up the key  wickets of Mushfiqur Rahim (36) and Mohammad Ashraful (1) to  help restrict the hosts to a modest total.
Iqbal and Imrul Kayes had given Bangladesh a flying start as  they raced to 50 runs inside six overs but some inspired  fielding and a controlled bowling display from the Irish stifled  the innings to the dismay of the home fans who started to fear  another defeat at the hands of the Irish.
Four years ago in the Caribbean Ireland sensationally  defeated Pakistan in the group stages and followed it up by  beating Bangladesh in the following round.