Sports Reporter :
The Tigresses tasted a slim 12-run defeat to the Ireland Women’s Cricket team in their first Twenty20 International (T20I) match at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Chasing Ireland Women’s Cricket team a massive total of 169 for the loss of five wickets in the allotted 20 overs, Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team were restricted to 157 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs.
Bangladesh women had a solid start as openers Dilara Akter and Sobhana Mostary put on together 103 runs in the opening stand before Sobhana Mostary was caught behind by wicketkeeper Amy Hunter off Ola Prendergast.
Sobhana Mostary hammered a superb 46. Her 35-ball innings was belted with three fours and two sixes.
Nigar Sultana (4) was dismissed by Arlene Kelly when the hosts’ score was 109 for the loss of two wickets.
After Nigar’s departure, Dilara Akter could not stay at the crease for a long period as she was dismissed by Kelly when the Tigresses’ total was 110 for the loss of three wickets.
Dilara Akter notched up a splendid 49. She hit two fours and two sixes in her 41-ball innings.
Taj Nehar was stumped out by Hunter off Aimee Maguire when Bangladesh’s score was 137 for the loss of four wickets.
Taj Nehar scored 19 from 14 deliveries including three fours.
After Nehar’s departure, Sharmin Akhter did not get sufficient support from her teammates to chase the Ireland’s total. Thus, Bangladesh conceded a narrow defeat.
Sharmin Akhter remained unbeaten with 23 runs. She hit two fours in her 13-ball knock.
Kally and Prendergast claimed three wickets each instead of 22 and 24 runs respectively.
Ireland had a poor start as opener Amy Hunter (10) was bowled out by Jahanara Alam when the tourists’ score was 16.
Opener Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast added together 30 runs for the second wicket partnership before Prendergast (11) was bowled out by Jannatul Ferdus when Ireland’s total was 46 for the loss of two wickets.
After Jannatul’s dismissal, Gaby Lewis and Leah Paul rescued their team from danger adding together 107 runs in the third wicket stand before Gaby Lewis was bowled out by Fariha Trisna when Ireland’s score was 153 for the loss of three wickets.
Gaby Lewis hit a captain’s knock of 62. Her 42-ball innings was ornamented with seven fours and two sixes.
Leah Paul remained unbeaten with 79 runs. She hit 10 fours and two sixes in her 45-ball knock. She was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Laura Delany (2) was stumped out by wicketkeeper Dilara Akter off Nahida Akter when Ireland’s total was 158 for the loss of four wickets.
Una Raymond-Hoey (0) was run out by a joint-effort off Shorna Akter and Jahanara Alam when the tourists’ score was 159 for the loss of five wickets.
Nahida Akter, Fariha Trisna, Jahanara Alam and Jannatul Ferdus took one each for 20, 32, 35 and 40 runs respectively.
