BAN-W vs IRE-W 2024: Ireland's all-round performance helps secure first T20I win over Bangladesh

Ireland Women and Bangladesh Women locked horns in the first T20I of the three-match series at the Sylhet Stadium in Sylhet on Thursday, December 05. Irish skipper Gaby Lewis called it correctly at the toss and opted to bat first.

The hosts had a good start to the game after dismissing opener Amy Hunter for just 10 runs. Meanwhile, Lewis looked in good touch and was hitting boundaries at will. Her partnership of 107 runs, with Leah Paul, was the backbone of the Irish innings.

Lewis, in her 42-ball stay, smashed 60 runs, lacing her innings with seven boundaries and two sixes, playing at a strike rate of 142.85. On the other hand, Paul remained unbeaten till the end of 20 overs scoring a brilliant 79-run knock, constructing her innings with 10 boundaries and two sixes. The side faced a lower-order collapse after Lewis was dismissed by Fariha Trisna.

The visitors were eventually restricted to 169/5 in their allotted 20 overs, giving the opposition a tough target to achieve. For the hosts, Jahanara Alam, Fariha Trisna, Jannatul Ferdus, and Nahida Akter picked a wicket each.

The Bangla Tigresses started the chase promisingly, as openers Dilara Akter and Sobhana Mostary put up a solid 103-run stand and put the side in a commendable position to chase the target. But after being hit for 11 overs, the Irish bowlers got the side back in the game by dismissing Mostary for 46 and Akter for 49. Even after their dismissals the side was on the correct track but lost their middle order in no time with Sharmin Akhter and Taj Nehar adding 23 and 19 runs, respectively.

Also Check: BAN-W vs IRE-W Live Score | News, Updates & Scores

The game went down till the last over, with the hosts requiring 18 runs in the final six balls. Arlene Kelly, who was given the responsibility to bowl the final over just game three runs and took a wicket, helping the team register a 12-run win and go 1-0 up in the series. Meanwhile, the hosts will look to come back stronger in the second game of the series on December 07.