Chattogram: Ireland captain Paul Stirling won the toss and decided to bat first in the series-deciding third T20 International against Bangladesh at Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram. The series is currently balanced at 1-1, with Ireland having won the first game by 39 runs, and Bangladesh leveling the series with a four-wicket victory in the second match.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh has made three changes for this crucial match, which is their last international assignment of the year. Middle order batter Shamim Patwari has been brought back into the squad, alongside leg-spinner Rishad Hossain and pacer Shoriful Islam, replacing Nurul Hasan Sohan, Nasum Ahmed, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Bangladesh captain Liton Das expressed his initial preference to bat first, citing the dry pitch conditions that he believed would offer some good bounce. Das emphasized the importance of preserving wickets during the Powerplay to build a competitive total.
Ireland has also made strategic changes, with Curtis Campher, Benjamin White, and Craig Young replacing Joshua Little, Barry McCarthy, and Benjamin Calitz. Stirling highlighted the team's aim to set a solid score and improve their defense compared to the previous game. He noted the dry conditions that could favor their spinners, and expressed optimism for achieving a historic series victory against Bangladesh, a feat yet to be accomplished in any format by the Irish team.
The playing line-ups for the match are as follows:
Bangladesh: Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Litton Das (w/c), Towhid Hridoy, Saif Hassan, Shamim Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
Ireland: Paul Stirling (c), Tim Tector, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (w), Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Benjamin White.