‘I thought throughout the series we played really tough cricket’ – Tamim Iqbal after Bangladesh’s ODI series win over Ireland

On Sunday, May 14, Bangladesh overcame Ireland by five runs in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) at the County Cricket Ground in Chelmsford. Following a washout in the first ODI, Bangladesh chased 320 in a rain-shortened 45-over second ODI and won the three-match series by 2-0.

Speaking about the match, Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie won the toss and opted to bowl first. Ireland bundled out Bangladesh for 274 in 48.5 overs, with Mark Adair claiming a four-wicket haul. Meanwhile, Mustafizur Rahman picked four wickets as Bangladesh restricted Ireland to 269 runs.

Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal was pleased with his team’s gritty performance in their 2-0 ODI series triumph over Ireland. He stated that chasing a target of 320 in 45 overs, regardless of ground size or opposition, was a difficult job, and he believed that they batted superbly. He went on to say that the final ODI was of the utmost importance to him. 

“I thought throughout the series we played really tough cricket. Chasing 320 in 45 overs, regardless of the ground size or opposition, is a hard task. The way we batted was amazing. Today, it is a very special game for me. We have always seen this kind of situation on the other side. We lost from such winning positions, especially with the ball,” Tamim said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

The bowling unit will get incredible confidence from this win: Tamim

The Bangladesh skipper then took calls that came good in the match on Sunday. He said that the bowling unit will get incredible confidence from the win in the third ODI adding that it was not easy to defend 274 at Chelmsford. 

“The bowling unit will get incredible confidence from this win. It wasn’t easy to defend 274 at this ground. I thought we did a great job. Miraz’s bowling inspired me to take a chance with Shanto. He took a wicket in the first over and so I continued with him. The match turned on its head in his three overs and Mustafizur’s overs,” he added.