SYLHET, March 18, 2023 (BSS) - Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal hailed the team effort after making a good start to the three-match ODI series against Ireland.

The Tigers sealed its largest ever victory when they mauled Ireland by 183 runs in the first ODI to go up 1-0 in the series.
 
Shakib Al Hasan, Towhid Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim were instrumental in the victory as Ireland could never pose a challenge, barring the opening 20 overs.

Shakib and Hridoy put up 135-run for the fourth wicket stand to lay a solid platform before Hridoy added another 49 ball-80 with Mushfiqur for the fifth wicket stand, a partnership that helped Bangladesh reach their highest ever ODI total of 338-8. Ireland were wrapped up for just 155 in 30.5 overs.

"The way we batted was exceptional. Wasn't the easiest wicket to bat for the first 20 overs. But Shakib was brilliant, Towhid was also impressive. Mushi's innings made the difference, shout out to him," Tamim said after the match.

"The bowlers also bowled very well under lights. The first 20-25 overs wasn't that easy to bat on, it was on the slower side. It is good for us to play on sporting tracks and we will do better."

Fast bowler Ebadot Hossain was the go-to bowler for Bangladesh, claiming 4-45 for his career-best effort in ODI format. Also Bangladesh got best of Mushfiqur Rahim from his wicket-keeping for which he time and again was criticized of late. 

"He (Mushfiqur) has been doing this for the last 17 years. People forget that there will be ups and downs, but he has been amazing. The way Ebadot bowled was very special to see. Special mention to Nasum too, he doesn't play too many ODIs, but when he does, he bowls really well."

Shakib though claimed one wicket before scoring 93 with the willow, Hridoy was adjudged man of the match for his fearless 92 on debut.
 
"A little bit hurt (on missing out on a century on debut), but I am happy, very good for me from the beginning. I felt good when I batted with Shakib, he inspired me. I was a bit confident. I just tried to execute my plans and it worked," Hridoy said.

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie held their poor batting responsible for the massive margin defeat. 

"We were not too disappointed at the halfway stage as the wicket was good and the best time was to bat under lights. But we kept losing wickets and didn't get any partnerships," Balbirnie said.

"We were a bit out of sync but don't want to use that as an excuse, Bangladesh have been playing a lot of cricket and continued from there. We want to compete and beat teams like these on a regular basis. But the batting was not up to standard."