BSS, Dhaka :
In a bid to level the three-match series, Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team will take on Ireland today at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Captain of Bangladesh Women’s Cricket team Nigar Sultana will lead her side, while Captain of Ireland Women’s Cricket team Gaby Lewis will lead her side.
The match turned out to be a ‘do or die’ game for the hosts to keep the series alive as they lost the first game by 12 runs.
Ireland put up 169-5, which was their highest total against Bangladesh in this format. The way the Irish batters thrashed the Bangladesh bowlers came up as surprise for many given the gulf of the difference in terms of strength between the two teams.
But Tigresses were still on course of a victory when the opening pair Dilara Akter and Sobhana Mostary put on 103 runs for the opening stand.
This was Bangladesh’s highest stand in opening partnership in their history but despite the openers’ effort Bangladesh fell short, largely due to the irresponsible batting of the middle order. Bangladesh Women’s team expected to rectify their errors in the second match to level the series, which can make the third and final game a decider one.
The Tigresses earlier swept the three-match ODI series in dominating fashion to keep their direct qualification to the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup to be held in India, next year, alive.
Bangladesh squad (1st & 2nd T20Is): Nigar Sultana Joti (Captain), Nahida Akter (Vice- Captain), Murshida Khatun, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akhter, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam, Jahanara Alam, Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, Taj Nehar and Shanjida Akhter.
Ireland squad: Gaby Lewis (Captain), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Una Raymond-Hoey, Freya Sargent and Rebecca Stokell.
