CHATTOGRAM — In a nail-biting finish that went down to the final over, Bangladesh edged out Ireland by four wickets with just two balls to spare to level the three-match T20I series at 1-1, setting up a thrilling decider in the capital, Dhaka.
After being put into bat, Ireland posted a competitive total of 125 for 8, a score that looked below par but proved tricky on a slow, turning Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium pitch. In reply, Bangladesh’s chase was a rollercoaster, stuttering and stumbling before eventually crossing the line in the penultimate over, finishing on 129 for 6.
Ireland's Innings: A Tale of Missed Opportunities
The Irish innings never truly found the explosive gear it needed. Opener Paul Stirling fell early, caught behind off the bowling of Taskin Ahmed for just 1. Lorcan Tucker and Andy Balbirnie then attempted to build a platform, but the Bangladeshi spinners, led by the ever-reliable Shakib Al Hasan, applied a relentless squeeze in the middle overs.
Balbirnie top-scored for the visitors with a patient 33 off 32 balls, but his dismissal, stumped off the bowling of Nasum Ahmed, triggered a mini-collapse. From a relatively comfortable 72 for 2 in the 12th over, Ireland lost wickets at regular intervals, struggling to find the boundary against the disciplined Bangladeshi attack.
The standout performer with the ball for Bangladesh was young pacer Hasan Mahmud, who bowled with impressive control and pace at the death. His figures of 3 for 27 from his four overs were crucial in restricting Ireland to a sub-130 total. Taskin Ahmed (2-25) and Shakib Al Hasan (1-16) provided excellent support.
The Chase: A Nerve-Shredding Affair
Bangladesh's reply began in the worst possible fashion, losing their talismanic opener Litton Das for a golden duck to the very first ball of the innings, bowled by a sharp delivery from Mark Adair. The early setback sent a wave of tension through the home crowd, a feeling that was amplified when Najmul Hossain Shanto fell soon after for 13.
At 27 for 2, the experienced duo of Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy came together to steady the ship. They put on a vital 45-run partnership, with Hridoy looking particularly fluent. However, just as Bangladesh seemed to be seizing control, Hridoy was dismissed for a well-made 30 off 25 balls, and Shakib followed for 26, leaving the game perfectly poised.
The required run rate began to climb, and the pressure told as Ireland’s spinners, led by the impressive Gareth Delany (2-28), turned the screw. The match swung decisively in the 18th over when Bangladesh lost two more wickets, leaving them needing 20 runs from the final 12 deliveries with only four wickets in hand.
The Final Over Heroics of Nurul Hasan
With the game on the line, wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan, known for his calm demeanour under pressure, took centre stage. Facing the experienced Josh Little in the final over, Bangladesh needed 9 runs. The first ball was a dot, increasing the pressure exponentially. What followed was a masterclass in calculated hitting:
- Ball 2: A crucial wide from Little, easing the pressure slightly.
- Ball 2 (rebowl): Nurul smashes a length ball over deep mid-wicket for a massive six!
- Ball 3: A single to long-on, bringing the strike back.
- Ball 4: Taskin Ahmed squeezes a yorker to point for a single.
- Ball 5: Nurul finishes the game, driving through the covers for the winning run.
Nurul remained unbeaten on 12 from just 5 balls, a cameo of immense value and composure. Speaking after the match, a relieved Bangladesh captain, Shakib Al Hasan, praised his team's fighting spirit, stating, "It was a tough pitch to bat on, but the way the lower order held their nerve was fantastic. Nurul's six was the turning point."
Series Poised for a Grand Finale
The victory sets up a tantalizing series decider, which will be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Ireland, who won the first match convincingly, will be keen to bounce back and secure a historic series win on Bangladeshi soil. For the hosts, the narrow escape has injected much-needed confidence.
Irish captain Paul Stirling reflected on the fine margins, saying, "It's disappointing to lose a game that was in the balance for so long. I thought we were brilliant with the ball and in the field, but credit to Nurul, that was a fantastic strike under pressure. It's all to play for in Dhaka."
The match underscored the competitive nature of modern T20 cricket, where games can turn on a single delivery. While Bangladesh will be relieved to have kept the series alive, Ireland proved once again that they are a formidable and resilient side, capable of pushing full-member nations to their absolute limit.
The focus now shifts to the final match, where both teams will have everything to play for. Bangladesh will look to leverage their home advantage and recent escape, while Ireland will be determined to prove their first victory was no fluke and clinch a memorable series victory.