Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy hit a blistering fifty each to power Bangladesh to their highest total of 338-8 in the opener of the three one day internationals against their Ireland counterpart at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Bangladesh’s previous highest 333-8 came at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, against the mighty Australia in the 2019 ICC World Cup. 

Shakib struck a 85-ball 92, while Towhid finished with 93 off 89 balls to post a gigantic total for the home side, the highest total against the touring side. Shakib struck an 89-ball 93 while Towhid finished with 92 off 85 balls to post a huge total for the home side.

Graham Hume was the peak of the Irish bowlers, scalping 3, and Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, and Curtis Campher took one wicket each.

Bangladesh lost their opener Tamim Iqbal, who has been undergoing a dismal outing in the ODIs, inside the third over for a sluggish 3 off 9 balls by Adair being sent into bat.

Bangladesh’s other opener, Liton Das, followed Tamim’’s steps after seven overs as he fell to Campher.

Najmul Hossan Shanto, who is enjoying the purple patch of his career, was bowled by McBrine, leaving the side at 81-3.

Then Shakib and debutant Towhid formed a blazing 125-ball 135 in the fourth wicket stand to surpass Bangladesh's two hundred run thresholds, with the former smacking Harry Teter for 22 runs in the 35th over before being excluded by Hume.

Meanwhile, Shakib reached his seven thousand run milestone in the ODIs.

Later, a flurry of 49 ball 80 came in the fifth wicket stand between Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid before the former was dismissed for a quick-fire 44 off 44.

However, Towhid was stopped just seven runs from his maiden fifty by Hume.