Bangladesh defeated Ireland by four wickets in a thrilling second T20 International at Chattogram, chasing down 171 with just two balls to spare to level the three-match series 1–1. The home side finished at 174 for 6 in a tense encounter that highlighted their ability to handle pressure in tight run chases.
Ireland had posted a competitive total of 170 for 6, built through steady contributions across their batting order rather than a single dominating innings. Their openers got the team off to a solid start, while the middle order added crucial runs to set up a challenging target for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh began their reply confidently, with opener Parvez Hossain Emon scoring a brisk 43 off 28 balls to provide a solid platform. Captain Litton Das anchored the middle overs with a composed 57 off 37 balls, including three sixes and as many boundaries, guiding the chase and eventually earning the Player of the Match award for his efforts.
The chase, however, was far from straightforward. Ireland’s bowlers, particularly Mark Adair and Gareth Delany, struck at regular intervals, taking two wickets apiece and creating tension as Bangladesh tried to keep up with the required run rate.
With 22 runs needed off the final 14 balls, Mohammad Saifuddin’s calm finishing proved decisive. He struck a six and a four at crucial moments, remaining unbeaten on 17 off 7 balls. Mahedi Hasan sealed the match by driving the final delivery through extra cover for four, completing a dramatic and well-earned victory for Bangladesh.
The win marked one of Bangladesh’s highest successful T20I chases at home and demonstrated their ability to maintain composure in high-pressure situations. It also helped the team recover from a recent run of inconsistent performances in the format and provided momentum heading into the series decider.
For Ireland, the match was a missed opportunity. While their batters set a defendable total and gave the team a strong platform, lapses at critical moments and a lack of penetration in the death overs allowed Bangladesh to stage a comeback. Ireland will need to tighten their bowling and maintain consistency in the final T20I if they hope to reclaim the series.
Looking ahead, Bangladesh enters the third and final T20I with confidence, backed by strong contributions from Litton Das, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Saifuddin. Ireland, meanwhile, faces the challenge of regrouping and executing their plans more effectively under pressure.
In a match that remained in the balance until the last delivery, Bangladesh’s timely aggression, depth in the batting lineup, and composure under pressure proved decisive, allowing them to level the series and set up an exciting finale.
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