Bangladesh equalise series with Liton Das’ fifty

Bangladesh started the three-match T20 series against Ireland by losing due to batting failure. The Tigers had no option but to win the second match to stay in the series. In such an equation, the hosts equalised the series with Liton Das' fifty.

Bangladesh defeated Ireland by 4 wickets in the second match of the series at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chittagong on Saturday (November 29). The red-green jersey holders crossed the target of 171 runs set by the visitors with 2 balls in hand.

Bangladesh got off to a flying start by batting for 171 runs. However, the hosts suffered their first setback when opener Tanjid Hasan Tamim was run out after leading the team by 26 runs. The left-handed batsman scored 7 runs off 10 balls before departing.

Then Parvez Hossain Emon and Liton Das put on a 60-run partnership for the second wicket. Emon, who had shown signs of a half-century with his excellent batting, was caught by George Dockrell off Gareth Dolany in the 10th over and returned to 43 runs off 28 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes.

Then Liton added another 52 runs with Saif Hasan. Liton was out for 57 runs after reaching his half-century. Saif returned for 22 runs. Then, when Towhid Hridoy (6) and Sohan (5) were run out, the pressure increased on Bangladesh.

Mohammad Saifuddin handled that pressure. He finished the match with a cool head along with Sheikh Mehedi. The pace all-rounder led the team to victory by remaining unbeaten on 17 runs for just 7 balls. Mehedi scored 6 runs off 3 balls.

Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, Irish openers Paul Stirling and Tim Tector put on a 57-run partnership. In the fifth over, Tanjim Hasan Shakib stopped Ireland's onslaught by dismissing Stirling with a brilliant catch from Saif Hasan. The Irish captain scored 29 runs off 14 balls before retiring.

Even then, the two brothers Tim Tector and Harry Tector kept the run wheel moving with their attacking batting. Spinner Sheikh Mehedi Hasan dismissed opener Tim Tector with the first ball of the ninth over. Tim was stumped by this off-spinner's ball and returned to the dressing room to score 38 runs off 25 balls with 4 boundaries and 2 sixes.

Mehedi also dismissed Harry Tector four balls after Tim's dismissal. He returned to the dressing room after being bowled for 11 runs off 11 balls and became the hero of Ireland's victory in the first match. Then, in the 11th over, Mehidy stumped Ben Kaliz, who had scored 7 off 9 balls, to take his third wicket in the match.

Lorcan Tucker then put up a fight with Judge Dockrell. The two put on a 56-run stand for the fifth wicket. In the 19th over, Mohammad Saifuddin dismissed Dockrell, who had scored 18 off 21 balls. In the end, the visitors scored 170 runs, supported by Tucker's 41 off 32 balls.