Saif century gives emerging team 2-0 series lead

Bangladesh Emerging team beat the Ireland Wolves comprehensively by six wickets in the third unofficial ODI between the two teams at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Tuesday.

Bangladesh Emerging team opener Saif Hassan stood out with the bat as the right-hander made a brilliant 120 off 125 while chasing a target of 261 set by Ireland Wolves. 

Earlier, the Bangladesh Emerging team won the toss and sent the opponents in to bat. Bangladesh's first success came in the ninth over as Ruhan Pretorius got himself run-out. Pretorius' opening partner James McCollum walked off after making 40 off 51 balls in the 16th over. Bangladesh Emerging team bowlers dried up the runs as the Wolves could manage only 32 runs in the next 11 overs. They put pressure on the batsmen and succeeded in removing Jeremy Lawlor who made 21 off 47.

Harry Tector and Curtis Campher stitched a very handy partnership of 45 in pretty quick time and when the former was sent back by part-timer Towhid Hridoy, Ireland were 140 for three and needed a quickfire knock from someone to post a good total.

Tector's dismissal brought Lorcan Tucker into the crease who went all guns blazing right from the start. He paired up with Campher and added 60 for the fourth wicket with Campher contributing only 19.

Campher's dismissal in the 42nd over did not stop Tucker from going after the bowlers. He brought up his fifty off just 35 deliveries and in the end remained unbeaten on 82 off just 53 balls. His knock propelled Ireland Wolves to 260 for seven after 50 overs.

In reply, the Bangladesh Emerging team began in a positive manner as the openers- Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim added 44 off 50 deliveries. Tanzid fell victim to Ruhan Pretorius in the ninth over which brought Mahmudul Hasan Joy into the crease.

Joy, who starred in the previous match, couldn't repeat his performance in the third match. The right-hander was trapped leg before by Gareth Delany in the 18th over. However, Saif Hassan was scoring quickly and kept the home side always in the chase.

Yasir Ali Rabbi, who came in at four, couldn't make a big contribution too and was dismissed in the 25th over with the team still requiring 123 off 156 deliveries. 

Bangladesh Emerging team needed someone to support Saif Hassan. Saif found an ally in Towhid Hridoy who played second fiddle to the former in a 68-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Delany finally got the much-needed breakthrough as Saif Hassan got out caught in the 40th over, scoring a magnificent 120.

When Saif got out, the Bangladesh Emerging team still required 66 off 65 deliveries. As the chase looked a little tricky, Shamim Hossain took charge. The youngster started from where he left off in the previous match and blazed his way to 44 off 25 with the help of seven fours and a six. Hridoy too joined the party and scored 43 off 44 balls. This pair added an unbroken 65 off just 38 deliveries and ensured that there was no more hiccup. 

For Ireland Wolves, Gareth Delany took two wickets and Peter Chase and Ruhan Pretorius shared two among themselves.

Bangladesh Emerging team now lead the series 2-0. The first match of the series was called off midway as Ireland's Ruhan Pretorius' Covid result turned out to be positive. The teams will move to Dhaka to play two more unofficial ODIs followed by two T20s.