Sylhet: Despite a record opening partnership, Bangladesh Women’s team tasted a 12-run defeat to visiting Ireland in the first of the three-match T20 International series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today. Ireland posted a respectable 169-5, their highest total against Bangladesh. However, the Tigresses looked on course to victory when Sobhana Mostary and Dilara Akter combined for a 103-run opening partnership but thereafter experienced a collapse to be restricted to 157-7.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mostary and Dilara’s 103-run partnership was the highest for Bangladesh Women’s team in an opening stand in WT20Is, surpassing the record of 81 between Ayesha Rahman and Rumana Ahmed. However, neither of the openers could reach the 50-run mark, with Mostary being out on 46 off 35 after hitting three fours and two sixes. Arlene Kelly then got the better of Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty for 4 before denying Dilara a half-century in the same over, dismissing her for 49. Dilara
clubbed two fours and as many sixes in 41 balls.
Both Kelly and Orla Prendergast claimed three wickets apiece as they jointly dismantled Bangladesh’s middle order. Sharmin Akhter Supta held one end, but the disciplined bowling by Irish bowlers meant Bangladesh needed 18 runs in the last over, which they were unable to score. Supta remained not out on 23 off 13.
Ireland Women’s team earlier put up a strong batting performance after their captain Gaby Lewis won the toss and elected to bat first. Leah Paul led the charge with an unbeaten 79 off 45 balls, laced with 10 fours and two sixes. She was adjudged player of the match. Gaby Lewis played her part well to give the side a solid start with 60 off 42, sending the ball across the ropes seven times. Jahanara Alam, Fariha Trishna, Nahida Akter, and Jannatul Ferdous took one wicket apiece for the hosts.
Earlier, Bangladesh had swept the three-match ODI series against Ireland in Mirpur.