Ireland vs Bangladesh: Ton-up Najmul Hossein shines as visitors chase down 320 runs in second ODI

Najmul Hossein hit a maiden one-day international century before Mushfiqur Rahim ensured Bangladesh chased down 320 with three balls left in a tense three-wicket win over Ireland on Friday despite Harry Tector’s career-best 140. Najmul made 117 off just 93 balls at Chelmsford in front of a 4,000-strong crowd largely made up of Tigers fans. The victory gave Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in a three-match series after Tuesday’s rain-marred no-result at English county Essex’s headquarters. Bangladesh veteran Mushfiqur, with four runs required off four balls, hit a boundary and finished 36 not out. Najmul, who eventually holed out off Curtis Campher, shared a fourth-wicket stand of 131 with Towhid Hridoy (68). In a match reduced by rain to 45 overs per side, Tector’s fourth century in his last nine ODI innings took Ireland to 319-6. The 23-year-old struck seven fours and 10 sixes in a mere 113 balls, with George Dockrell making 74. Bangladesh paceman Shoriful Islam conceded 83 runs in nine overs during innings where Ireland struck a national record 16 sixes. This series concludes on Sunday. Tuesday’s washout, something Ireland hoped to avoid by moving the series to England, denied the Irish the 3-0 series clean sweep they needed to secure automatic entry into this year’s World Cup in India. Ireland will now have to compete in the 1 June – 9 July qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe, which also includes former champions West Indies and Sri Lanka. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.