Ireland Storm into Super Eights, Bangladesh Ousted

Trent Johnston celebrates a wicket

Trent Bridge: Ireland beat Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup and, pitted against the same side in a must-win clash in more familiar conditions, produced an encore to surge into the second stage of the World Twenty20.

Johnston, the burly Australian-born seamer, grabbed 3-20 in his opening spell with the new ball to restrict Bangladesh to a modest 137 for eight after Ireland elected to bowl under an overcast Trent Bridge.

The O'Brien brothers, Niall and Kevin, ensured the Irish did not falter when it mattered most with the bat to lead their side home with 10 balls to spare.

Niall made 40 off 25 balls, while Kevin completed the easy win with an unbeaten 39 off 17 balls that included four boundaries and two sixes.

Bangladesh, who had lost their opening game against defending champions India, return home with two defeats, while the Irish move into the Super Eights from group A along with the Indians.

Bangladesh, who needed to win the game to stay in the tournament, lost half their side by the 11th over with just 66 runs on the board.

Niall O'Brien, the Man of the Match says we started off well, Johnston bowled exceedingly well first-up. The onside boundary is my strength, I just backed myself and went for it. It's all about enjoying the game, we are very happy to have performed well.

Magnificent win for Ireland as they continue to shock people at the world stage. Firstly, they bowled exceedingly well to keep Bangladesh to a modest total and then came out to bat with a clear mind to demolish the opponents.

Today was the day of the O'Brien brothers, both of them compiled blitzkriegs to shock the Bangladeshis. First it was Niall who hit out and then Kevin made sure that his side didn't falter at the finish line. He played some fiery shots to ensure that the asking rate didn't go beyong their reach. With this win, they have knocked out the Bangladeshis of this edition of the World Twenty20 and themselves have progressed into the Super Eight stage. 

Earlier, Ireland captain William Porterfield won the toss and chose to bowl against Bangladesh in the 7th match of the Twenty20 World Cup at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Monday.

Opener Tamim Iqbal was the only frontline batsman to offer any semblence of resistance, making 22 before he was run out.

Mashrafe Mortaza hit a quickfire 33 not out towards the end, including 20 runs in the last over from Alex Cusack, as the last three wickets added 71 valuable runs.

Brief Score: Ireland 138 for 4 (Niall O'Brien 40, Kevin O'Brien 39*) beat Bangladesh 137 for 8 (Mortaza 33*, Johnston 3-20) by six wickets.