"A slightly better performance against a better side", was how Ireland coach Brian O' Rourke summed up his team's 8 wicket loss to a very strong all-round Bangladesh side.

They once again lost a crucial toss, and after a steady if unspectatcular start, were soon deep in trouble. Ireland senior hopeful Paul Stirling went for just 2, edging a ball from Dollar Mahmud straight to wicket-keeper Ashiqul.

Just two balls later saw the end of Ackland for 0, run out after a mix up with Dougherty. This too off a free hit, given after Rubel Hossain had overstepped. A direct hit from Ashiqul saw him two yards short of his ground.

Chris Dougherty (11), played down the wrong line from Shubashis Roy's first ball of the game - 24/3 in the 10th. James Hall hung around for 29 deliveries, making just 3, before he was trapped lbw in Nasir's first over.

James Shannon looked assured and composed at the crease, top scoring with 31, which included 4 boundaries. He added 30 for the 5th wicket with Andrew Balbirnie (11), and at 75 for 4 in the 28th over, Ireland had real hopes of posting around the 160 mark.

A misjudged sweep saw Balbirnie bowled around his legs, the ball striking off stump as he moved too far across his crease. Shannon followed just 11 runs later, brilliantly caught by the diving Ashiqul off a good delivery from Rubel Hossain which left him.

Graham Mc Donnell struck his first ball for 4, but having added just another single, he bizarrely shouldered arms at a straight ball from Hossain and lost his middle stump.

Skipper Greg Thompson (19) batted sensibly as he and Stuart Poynter added 21 for the 8th wicket, before a straight delivery from Mahmudal Hasan struck him right in front. The same format saw Richard Kevaney collect his second duck of the tournament - and at 108/9 Ireland were in danger of recording one less than they did in their defeat by England.

A boundary from Andrew Britton ensured they passed that target, and Thompson then unleashed a huge six over midwicket, followed up by a lofted drive for 4 straight down the ground. He attempted one big shot too many, and smashed Hasan straight to midwicket to leave Ireland 123 all out in 43.4 overs, with the off spinner finishing with what would eventually be a Man of the Match 4-17.

In reply Ireland had an early chance to claim their first wicket at 14, but wicket-keeper Poynter, diving in front of first slip, failed to hold on and Mithun escaped. Richard Keaveney was the unlucky bowler, and he was left frustated as Mithun and Ashraful launched a series of boundaries before lunch - 7 in total as Bangladesh reached 48 without loss from just 8 overs at the interval.

They continued in the same vein after the break, but eventually Britton got one to lift, and this time Poynter made no mistake - 63-1 in the 10th over, with Mithun gone for 31.

That was the cue for Ashraful to take centre stage - he struck 14 boundaries in a impressive display of power, timing and placement to finish on 71 not out from 79 balls. The only other wicket to fall was that of Mohammad Mintu (14), caught by Thompson off Hall, who was the pick of the attack, taking 1-8 in his 5 overs.

In the end though, Bangladesh had plenty to spare, 27.3 overs in fact as they coasted into the Super League Stages.

"Our biggest game is tomorrow, and the pressure is on us to deliver. We have to beat Bermuda, to get us back on track. We aren't expected to beat the likes of England or Bangladesh, but there are for games with fellow Associates."