Ireland's players celebrate the dismissal of Bangladesh's Mohammed Ashraful (left), caught by Dave Langford-Smith off bowler Boyd Rankin during their World Cup Super Eight match at Kensington Oval, Barbados, yesterday. - Dellmar

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP):

The amateurs of Ireland pulled off another World Cup shock yesterday, beating Test nation Bangladesh by 74 runs.

Ireland, which also beat Pakistan in its first World Cup and tied with Zimbabwe, posted its first Super Eights victory and also guaranteed itself permanent One-Day International status with its second triumph over a Test-playing nation at the tournament.

Bowlers danced jigs on the Kensington Oval wicket as Bangladesh batsmen fell, cheered on by hundreds of supporters of the cricket part-timers. The team did a lap of honour around the Oval after the final wicket from captain Trent Johnston meant Bangladesh were bowled out for 169 in the 42nd over.

"We knew we had to get the three disciplines right today and we played almost a perfect game," Johnston said.

Ireland won the toss for the first time at the World Cup and batted on a fast and dry Kensington Oval wicket. Opener William Porterfield scored a sensible 85 in 136 balls to lay the foundation for an innings of 243-7 after 50 overs.

Johnston paid tribute to the 92-run opening partnership between Porterfield and Jeremy Bray, who scored 31.

Laid the foundations

"They laid the foundations for our win. They were outstanding," he said.

Porterfield, named Man-of-the-Match for his innings, said there had been early movement from the wicket.

"Jeremy and I had to dig in and get over that early spell andwe managed to get past it."

The Londonderry, Northern Ireland-born opener said the team's success at the World Cup was making a big impression back in Ireland.

"I think it's gone a bit crazy back home and hopefully cricket in Ireland can kick off from here," he said.

Support was good

Johnston said he was delighted with the support from Irish supporters and Barbadians who were allowed in for free yesterday.

"In Jamaica, Guyana and Barbados I think the locals have warmed to us," he said.

A large crowd packed the Oval yesterday. Thousands of sold tickets were not taken up because they had been bought by fans predicting the match would be between India and Pakistan, both of which were eliminated in the qualifying round.

In reply, Bangladesh appeared over-anxious and only opener Tamim Iqbal, with 29, and Mohammad Ashraful, with 35, and skipper Habibul Bashar, 32, made good starts.

Bashar, who had relegated himself down the batting order after several failures, said his team was deeply disappointed, but would have to pick itself up before Thursday's last match against host West Indies.

"We hope we can do something in the game and go home with a bit of credit," said the Bangladesh captain, whose team beat South Africa in the Super Eights in Guyana last week.

"We gave away our wickets much too early and much too easily in this game."