DHAKA - Thanks to an all-round effort from Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh defeated Ireland by 44 runs in its second warm-up game – it beat UAE in the first game – at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Friday, in the lead up to the ICC World Twenty20 2014.
Batting first after winning the toss, Bangladesh scored an imposing 179 for 3 in its 20 overs, with unbeaten half-centuries from Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim keeping the scoreboard looking healthy. Despite William Porterfield batting for almost 15 overs during Ireland’s reply, it eventually finished at 135 for 8 in 20 overs. Tamim Iqbal (32) and Sabbir Rahman (23) put on 48 runs in 6.2 overs for the second wicket. That was followed by an unbeaten 116-run stand for the fourth wicket between Shakib (58 in 32 balls) and Rahim (59 in 30) that lasted for almost ten overs.
Ireland’s chase got off to a shaky start as Stirling and Ed Joyce were dismissed within the first six overs. Porterfield tried to resurrect the innings run-a-ball 44 only delayed the inevitable. A late blitz came when Stuart Thompson (35 in 19) took charge, but after he and Max Sorensen were dismissed within four balls, Ireland’s resistance ended. Shakib and Mashrafe Mortaza finished with two wickets apiece.
Zimbabwe down Afghanistan
Smarting from its loss to Hong Kong in the first ICC World Twenty20 2014 warm-up game, Zimbabwe gave itself a boost with a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the second and final practice match at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong on Friday. After Zimbabwe restricted Afghanistan to 168 for 6, Hamilton Masakadza made 93, helping it reach the target in 19.3 overs. Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a solid start as Masakadza and Sikandar Raza put on 102 runs for the opening wicket in 10.3 overs before Mohammad Nabi had Raza stumped for 27. With Masakadza and Brendan Taylor caught not long after, Zimbabwe found itself at 143 for 3. But, Sean Williams and Elton Chigumbura ensured there was no further damage. With two runs required off four balls, Williams hit a six off Aftab Alam to take the team home.
Asadullah, Shazad set up UAE win
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) beat Nepal by six wickets in its last warm-up match at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah. Deciding to bowl first, Khurram Khan, the UAE captain, was vindicated as its bowlers skittled Nepal out for 95 in 20 overs. UAE, led by Swapnil Patil’s 33, reached the target in 18.5 overs. Asadullah returned figures of 3 for 15, Kamran Shazad grabbed 2 for 19. UAE’s chase got off to a shaky start as Amjad Ali and Ahmed Raza were dismissed within the first four overs. Khurram Khan then gave Sharad Vesawkar his second catch of the day. However, a 48-run stand between Patil and Shaimam Anwar put UAE in firm control. Patel hit three fours before Basant Regmi accounted for him with his left-arm spin. Anwar, though, remained unbeaten on 30 to guide UAE home with seven balls to spare.
Haseeb’s six-for gives Hong Kong 27-run win
Haseeb Amjad’s dream spell of 6 for 21 in 3.5 overs helped Hong Kong register a 27-run win against Netherlands. With its bowlers performing in tandem, Hong Kong had been shot out for 127 in 19.5 overs and Netherlands was in with a great shot of pulling off a win. But Amjad’s dream spell of 6 for 21 in 3.5 overs upset all calculations, and Hong Kong bowled Netherlands out for exactly 100 in 16.5 overs.
 to register a 27-run win, its second consecutive finish on the right side of the result.