Emerging team clinch series keeping a game in hand

Bangladesh Emerging team have completely outclassed Ireland Wolves in all departments and beaten them by eight wickets in the fourth unofficial ODI at Sher-E-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday. The hosts, with this win, have clinched the series 3-0 with one game to play.

After a stellar bowling performance, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Towhid Hridoy played magnificently and guided the team to victory despite initial trouble.

Bangladesh Emerging team, winning the toss, put the visitors in to bat. Ireland Wolves did not have the best of starts as they lost Stephen Doheny in the fifth over. Doheny was caught behind off Mukidul Islam.  His opening partner Jeremy Lawlor was dismissed in the same fashion in the 11th over. Skipper Harry Tector got out in the very next ball, leaving them in a spot of bother at 40 for two. Sumon Khan, the right arm fast bowler accounted for the two wickets. 

Sumon returned in the next over to send back Curtis Campher and Ireland were in deep trouble at 54 for four. After Campher's dismissal Mark Adair and Lorcan Tucker put on a good little partnership of 46, only to be broken against the run of play by Rakibul Hasan who trapped the former leg before. Adair played well for his 40 off 49 deliveries.

One brought two for Rakibul as Tucker was caught behind in the spinner's next over. Mukidul Islam returned in a new spell and got Gareth Delany out, leaving Ireland struggling big time at 112 for seven.

Ireland Wolves needed a substantial partnership from a pair in order to post something respectable. At that time, Ruhan Pretorius and Graham Hume came to the rescue. This pair added 57 runs for the ninth wicket. Pretorius' 35 and Hume's unbeaten 29 were the highlights of the Ireland Wolves innings along with Adair's 40. Ireland managed to get 182 before getting bowled out in the 47th over.

Sumon Khan was the pick of the bowlers as he returned four for 31 in 8.2 overs. Mukidul Islam and Rakibul Hasan impressed as well, picking up two each. Skipper Saif Hassan chipped in with two wickets as well.

Ireland Wolves pounced on Bangladesh Emerging team as fast bowler Peter Chase picked up crucial wickets of  Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Yasir Ali inside four overs. 

But then it was all Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Hridoy was the more aggressive of the two while Joy played the role of the anchor. Ireland Wolves bowlers struggled against these two right handers despite picking up early wickets.

Joy and Hridoy stayed unbeaten till the end and ensured victory with 51 deliveries to spare. Hridoy played a tremendous knock of 88 off 97 balls with the help of nine boundaries. Joy was as solid as a rock and finished with 80 off 135 deliveries. He struck eight boundaries.

The fifth and final unofficial ODI between the two teams will be held on Sunday in Mirpur.

Brief scores-

Ireland Wolves: 182/10 in 46.2 overs (Adair 40, Pretorius 35, Hume 29*; Sumon Khan 4/31, Saif Hassan 2/25, Mukidul Islam 2/29)

Bangladesh Emerging Team: 186/2 in 41.3 overs (Towhid Hridoy 88*, Mahmudul Hasan 80*, Yasir Ali 2; Chase 2/29)

Result: Bangladesh Emerging Team won by 8 wickets.

Player of Match: Sumon Khan.