Bangladesh Hold Nerve to Level the Series in Chattogram
So, let me walk you through what turned out to be a really tight and entertaining T20I clash between Bangladesh and Ireland in Chattogram. The match had just about everything you’d expect from a good T20—quick runs, timely wickets, pressure moments, and a finish that went right down to the last over.
Ireland were the ones setting the tone early on. Their openers, Paul Stirling and Tim Tector, gave them exactly the kind of start you want in this format. They raced to a 57-run stand, with Stirling smashing boundaries for fun—two sixes and three fours in just 14 balls. But once he was dismissed in the fifth over, the momentum slowed a little. Tim Tector carried on for a bit, making a solid 38 before falling in the ninth over. And almost immediately, the slide continued, with his brother Harry Tector dismissed after adding just 11.
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For a moment, it looked like Ireland might lose control of the innings completely, but Lorcan Tucker stepped up nicely. He crafted a calm and important 41, and together with George Dockrell, he stitched a 56-run stand for the fifth wicket. That partnership really revived the innings and pushed Ireland to a respectable 170-6. Among the Bangladesh bowlers, Sjak Mahedi Hasan stood out, picking up 3-25 and constantly keeping Ireland’s middle order under pressure.
Bangladesh’s chase didn’t begin smoothly, losing Tanzid Hasan Tamin early for just seven. But instead of letting that rattle them, Parvez Hossain Emon and captain Litton Kumer Das built a strong foundation. Emon played freely for his 43, while Das anchored the innings brilliantly with a composed 57. By the 15-over mark, Bangladesh were cruising at 138-3 and looking comfortable.
But T20 cricket rarely allows comfort to last long. A sudden cluster of wickets—Saif Hassan for 22, Tawhid Hridoy for 6, and Nurul Hasan Sohan for 5—dragged the match back into tense territory. Ireland sensed an opportunity, tightening their lines and building pressure, with Mark Adair and Gareth Delany picking up two wickets each.
Still, the chase wasn’t done. Mohammad Saifuddin walked in with a cool head and played exactly the kind of calm, sensible cricket that was needed in the dying moments. Alongside Mahedi Hasan, he guided Bangladesh home with just two balls left, finishing at 174-6 and sealing a four-wicket win.
With that, Bangladesh leveled the series 1-1, setting up a nicely poised decider in Mirpur on Tuesday. It's shaping up to be a great finish to this short but lively series.
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