The amateurs of Ireland pulled off another World Cup shock on Sunday, beating Test nation Bangladesh by 74 runs in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Ireland, which also beat Pakistan and Canada in its first World Cup and tied with Zimbabwe, posted its first Super 8s victory and also guaranteed itself permanent one-day international status with its second triumph over a Test-playing nation at the tournament.

Trent Johnston, centre, of Ireland celebrates with teammates Kyle McCallan and John Mooney after Ireland shocking win over Bangladesh in Bridgetown, Barbados.
(Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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 was 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 foundations for an innings of 243-7 after 50 overs.

Johnston said he chose to bat because he did not want to chase a Bangladesh total on a wearing wicket. He paid tribute to the 92-run opening partnership between Porterfield and Jeremy Bray, who scored 31.

"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 and we managed to get past it."

Big impression

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.

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

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

A large crowd packed in to the Oval on Sunday. 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.

"We'll have a quiet ale tonight and get on the plane tomorrow for Grenada," Johnston said. Ireland plays its last game there against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Batsmen rule

Bangladesh's gentle medium and spin attack had little success and found itself treated harshly by the big-hitting Ireland batsmen Kevin O'Brien (48) and Johnston (30).

In reply, Bangladesh appeared overanxious and only opener Tamim Iqbal, with 29, and Mohammad Ashraful, with 35, made good starts.

Iqbal and Ashraful put on 50 for the fourth wicket before Iqbal fell trying to force the pace and edged a Johnston delivery onto his own stumps.

Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and Ashraful threatened to build a good attack. Rahim struck two delightful fours through the covers before trying to do the same to a yorker length delivery and ending up clean bowled. A violent slash of the bat after his dismissal almost inadvertently took wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien's head off and may be looked at by match referee Jeff Crowe.

Enthusiastic fielding

Ireland, aware this was its best chance for a Super 8 victory, again produced high quality and enthusiastic fielding, with medium pacers Boyd Rankin and Dave Langford-Smith grabbing two wickets apiece, as well as spinner Kyle McCallan. Langford-Smith took 2-27 from 10 overs.

Johnston returned in the 42nd over to end the match by clean bowling captain Habibul Bashar, who put up strong resistance to score 32.

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 8s in Guyana last week.

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

With Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka already certain of semifinal spots with six more Super 8s games still to go, the championship is meandering along. Only the South Africa-England game in Barbados on Tuesday has any real relevance to the outcome with both teams chasing the final semifinal place.

The Australia-Sri Lanka match in Grenada on Monday would have the makings of a cricket classic if there were something left to play for. Likewise the Australia-New Zealand match April 20. So would West Indies-England in Barbados a day later.

By then, however, both West Indies and England may know their game will also be meaningless so far as the championship is concerned. England may be going home after another World Cup flop and the other — West Indies — staying to deal with the anger of local fans who expected a lot more.