Bangladesh snapped their four-match losing streak with a composed yet dramatic chase of 171, their highest successful T20I chase at home. Parvez Hossain Emon ignited the reply with a brisk 43 off 28 (5 fours, 2 sixes), before skipper Litton Das took charge with a fluent 57 off 37, keeping the innings anchored through the middle overs.
Late Wobble Gives Ireland Hope
What looked like a routine chase suddenly tightened after Litton’s dismissal. Three wickets fell quickly, leaving Bangladesh at 149/5, still needing 22 off 14 balls. The pressure was real; the composure came from Mohammad Saifuddin.
Saifuddin Turns the Game with 17 off 7*
Saifuddin swung momentum immediately, pulling his first ball for four after a dropped chance at fine leg. With 14 required off the final 10 balls, he launched Mark Adair for a clean six and a driven four. His unbeaten 17 off 7 set up the finish, before Mahedi Hasan sealed the match with a firm extra-cover drive with two balls to spare.
Mahedi’s Three-For Stalls Ireland’s Charging Start
Ireland earlier threatened a massive total after a blistering start. Tim Tector cracked three fours in Mahedi’s opening over, while Paul Stirling smashed 29 off 14. At 75/1, Ireland were flying, until Mahedi struck back. His double blow in the ninth over removed both Tector brothers, and he later dismissed Ben Calitz to finish with 3/25, pulling momentum away from the visitors.
Lorcan Tucker (41 off 32) and George Dockrell stitched a 56-run stand, but Bangladesh’s bowlers controlled the death overs smartly.
Captains’ Take
Litton Das, named Player of the Match, praised his team’s composure: “We want to play these pressure games. Big thanks to Saifuddin. The new ball is easier here, so I knew I had to make use of it.”
Great game. We were slightly off at key moments. The difference came late, Bangladesh bowled really well.
Brief Scores: Ireland 170/6 (20 ov) Tucker 41, Tector 38, Stirling 29; Mahedi 3–25 Bangladesh 174/6 (19.4 ov) Litton 57, Emon 43, Saifuddin 17*; Adair 2–36, Delany 2–28 Result: Bangladesh won by four wickets.
