Mortaza takes Tigers to whitewash

Keep up to date with all that's new around the world - read match reports and more from every international played

Mashrafe Mortaza was the hero as Bangladesh completed a thrilling last-ball victory over Ireland to win the Twenty20 international series 3-0.

Ireland squandered a strong start to make only 140 after winning the toss at Stormont, Mortaza taking 4-19.

The bowling all-rounder then struck four sixes en route to a 13-ball 30 as his side prevailed by two wickets.

Ireland got off to a fine start through Paul Stirling and Will Porterfield, only for the openers to fall in quick succession.

The former hit Abdur Razzaq to cover on 17, while the latter, having struck a six into the media centre, holed out off Mortaza attempting to repeat the trick.

Niall O'Brien followed for 22, brother Kevin was dismissed for a duck and the wicket of Andrew Poynter gave Mortaza figures of 4-8 at that stage.

Mashrafe Mortaza starred with bat and ball as Bangladesh sealed a 3-0 Twenty20 international whitewash success against Ireland

After John Mooney fell for 12, Gary Wilson and Trent Johnson gave the innings some much-needed impetus with a couple of muscular shots.

Wilson eventually departed for 22, yet Johnston finished unbeaten on 24 as Ireland – who had agonisingly lost by one run in the second game – posted 140 for eight.

Openers Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful put on 62 in 9.2 overs as Bangladesh made the perfect start.

Yet Ashraful’s departure for 24 sparked a collapse; Stirling got rid of Tamim and Mahmudullah either side Shakib Al Hasan hitting to Niall O’Brien.

The Tigers were soon in further trouble at 87 for six as Stirling claimed his third wicket, of Nasir Hossain, after Ziaur Rahman was run out.

It was Mortaza to the rescue once again, though, as he hit three sixes over the leg side in one Dockrell over.

He and Mushfiqur Rahim fell - the latter in the final over - to set up a tense finish, but Elias Sunny saw Bangladesh home in yet another thrilling finale.