Stirling powers Ireland to consolation win against Bangladesh

A measured bowling performance followed by a fine batting show leads the visitors to a convincing win

Paul Stirling staged a superb display of power-hitting to propel Ireland to a 7-wicket consolation win over Bangladesh in the last T20 in Chattogram.

Choosing to bat first, Bangladesh capitulated to 124 all out with Shamim Hossain (51) pushing Bangladesh to the score at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Friday.

In reply, Stirling came out all guns blazing and slammed 10 boundaries and 4 sixes to race to 77 off 41 balls. He lost his opening partner Ross Adair (7) to Taskin Ahmed (1-28) and number three Lorcan Tucker (4) to Shoriful Islam (1-25).

Reduced to 41-2, the Irish skipper pressed on by hammering Shoriful for three boundaries and a six in an over before stitching 68 with Harry Tector (14 not out). Tector contributed only 13 in the partnership.

In an attempt to wrap things up faster, Stirling lobbed debutant Rishad Hossain but ended up holing out in the outfield. It was the 20-year-old legspinners maiden international wicket.

Curtis Campher (16) then came in and hammered Taskin for a boundary and a six to coast to the win with six overs to spare, registering Ireland’s first T20 win over the Tigers in Bangladesh.

Earlier, Shamim was the only bright spot in an otherwise tame show with the bat by Bangladesh who folded in 19.2 overs.

Irish bowlers made short work of the Bangladesh toporder before reducing the hosts to 41 for 5.

The 22-year-old Shamim then took charge and guided Bangladesh to a respectable total. He smashed 51 off 42 balls, his maiden half-century, in a sensible display where the other batters fell like ninepins.

Bangladesh lost seven batters for single-digit scores, including in-form Litton Das (6), Najmul Hossain Shanto (4) and Shakib Al Hasan (6).

Irish bowlers delivered much tighter lines on Friday with Mark Adair (3-24) as the pick of their bowlers. They gave away only four extras, including one leg-bye.

The Tigers already secured an unassailable lead in the three-game series with a host of records in the second game on Wednesday.