Chattogram: Bangladesh clinched the T20 International series against Ireland in style, having sealed a dominant eight-wicket victory in the third and final game today at Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and pacer Mustafizur Rahman claimed three wickets apiece as Bangladesh wrapped up Ireland for 117 in 19.5 overs.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim then made the chase a straightforward affair, hammering a 36-ball 55 not out, steering Bangladesh to 119-2 in 13.4 overs for a 2-1 victory in the series. Ireland won the first game by 39 runs, raising the prospect of their first-ever series victory over Bangladesh in any format of the game. However, the hosts made a strong comeback to eventually end 2025 with a winning note, having earlier swept the preceding two-match Test series.
Bangladesh's chase was as clinical as it should be to give them a morale boost ahead of the next year's T20 World Cup. The home side lost Saif Hasan (19) and skipper Liton Das (7) in quick succession, giving Ireland a glimmer of hope. However, Tanzid and Parvez Hossain Emon counter-attacked, causing disarray among the Irish bowlers.
The duo put on 73 runs for the undefeated third wicket, helping the side get over the line, with Parvez Emon signing off the game with a boundary past square leg. He was unbeaten on 33 off 26, featuring one four and three sixes.
Ireland skipper Paul Stirling opted to bat first after winning the toss and led the charge with a 27-ball 38, an innings laced with five fours and one six. Thanks to his attacking batting, Ireland made a fluent start before pacer Shoriful Islam got the first breakthrough for the side, taking out Tim Tector who added 17 off 10.
Rishad, who took 3-21, got into the act with the wicket of the dangerous Stirling with a googly, sparking a collapse from which the Irish side never recovered. Pacer Mustafizur Rahman and Mahedi Hasan joined forces with Rishad to rip through the Irish middle order.
George Dockrell, who made 19, and Gareth Delany, with 10, were the only other batters apart from Stirling and Tector to reach double digits amid disciplined bowling on a slow-paced wicket. Mustafizur then came back in the death overs to clean up the Irish tail, finishing with 3-11. Pacer Shoriful Islam also played his part well with 2-21 in dismantling the Irish batting lineup.