Ireland opened the three-match T20I series in commanding fashion, securing a 39-run victory over Bangladesh in the first match of the series at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram on Wednesday.
After posting a competitive 181/4, built around Harry Tector’s superb unbeaten 69, the visitors delivered a ruthless bowling display that dismantled Bangladesh’s chase early and never allowed the hosts to recover.
The hosts eventually limped to 142/9, with Towhid Hridoy producing a lone-warrior effort of unbeaten 83 off 50 balls.
Ireland’s innings, powered by a strong top-order showing, provided the perfect platform. Captain Paul Stirling started brightly with 21 off 18 before falling to Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Tim Tector continued the early momentum with a brisk 32 off 19, striking six boundaries to lift Ireland to 71/2 inside nine overs.
The real stability, however, came from Harry Tector, who anchored the middle overs with patience before exploding late. His 45-ball 69 featured five sixes, including a clean strike over long-on that shifted momentum firmly Ireland’s way.
Curtis Campher added a lively 24 off 17, while George Dockrell’s seven-ball 12 ensured Ireland plundered 54 runs from the final five overs. Among Bangladesh’s bowlers, Mustafizur Rahman was the lone bright spot, conceding just 23 runs from his four overs. Sakib picked up two wickets but was expensive, while the others struggled to maintain control on a true batting surface.
Chasing 182, Bangladesh imploded in disastrous fashion. Ireland’s new-ball pair—Matthew Humphreys and Mark Adair—ran riot, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 20/4 inside the Powerplay, their second-lowest Powerplay score in T20I history.
Tanzid Hasan, Liton Das, Parvez Emon, and Saif Hassan all fell cheaply, with Adair picking up the captain and Emon in quick succession. Humphreys struck in the first over and later delivered the knockout blow with a sensational final over of his spell, taking three wickets to finish with career-best figures of 4/13.
A brief stand between Hridoy and Jaker Ali (20 off 16) gave Bangladesh some hope, but another collapse saw the hosts slide from 66/4 to 74/8 in seven balls. Only Hridoy stood firm, displaying class and composure. His 83*, studded with seven fours and three sixes, kept the scoreboard respectable but the asking rate was too steep as wickets tumbled around him.
Ireland also dropped a few catches later on but maintained control through disciplined execution. Barry McCarthy complemented Humphreys with 3/23 while Adair delivered a sharp 2/20.
The visitors sealed the match comfortably, claiming their first T20I win of 2025 and taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Bangladesh, outclassed in all but one batting performance, will need major improvements before the next game
