BAN VS IRE 1ST T20I

Right then, that’s all from this rather one-sided affair. Ireland take a 1-0 lead in the series and will have their sights set on wrapping things up in the next game, while Bangladesh will be eager to bounce back and push it to a decider. We’ll return to this very venue for the 2nd T20I on Saturday, 29th November, with the action starting at 12 pm GMT, and as always, you’re welcome to join us early for all the pre-match coverage and build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

The victorious skipper of Ireland, Paul Stirling, is all smiles as he walks up to have a chat. He says that they turned up really well and points out that they were playing a full-strength team after a long time. Says some of the senior-pros made their way back in the side. Overall, he says they were excellent in every department, but admits that they were a bit sloppy in the field towards the end, as they dropped a few catches. Further tells that they have got a couple of more attempts to improve and win the series. Mentions that being 1-0 up in the series has put them in that comfort zone of doing better in the remaining matches. Concludes by saying that they would like to take the momentum into the second T20I.

Ireland's Matthew Humphreys is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his superb bowling performance. He picked up a sensational 4-wicket haul and conceded only 13 runs off his 4 overs. He says that he was definitely struggling to grip the ball. Adds that he was trying to bowl more arm balls, and under lights, he got some swing, which worked in his favour. On the arm balls, he shares that he has been working on those for quite a while now, especially with the new ball. Appreciates the batting from Stirling and Tim Tector, which helped them to lay a solid foundation. Says that Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy were amazing early on with the ball, which put the pressure on Bangladesh.

The captain of Bangladesh, Litton Das, reflects on the defeat. He says that their bowlers did a decent job, especially the way Mustafizur Rahman bowled with variations. He then admits that if they were a bit better with the ball overall, they could have restricted Ireland to 20 runs or less than what they posted in the end. Details that the pitch had something in it for the bowlers. But also shares that he knows how the Chattogram pitch is good for batting as well. Highlights that there was dew, but they already lost too many wickets inside the Powerplay. Also adds that when you loose so many wickets earlier in the innings, it is not easy for the middle order batters to come and score freely. Appreciates Tawhid Hridoy for batting impressively and says that he is an important batter in their lineup. Mentions that he still believes in his team and stresses giving their best. But for that, he mentions about playing their A game. Ends by saying that they will look to come strongly in the next match.

Presentation Time...

Ireland will be thrilled with their bowling display. Matthew Humphreys set the early tone with a wicket in the very first over, while Mark Adair was excellent with the new ball, picking up a couple of key scalps including the big one of Litton Das. Barry McCarthy then piled on the pressure by striking inside the Powerplay as well. The bowlers kept things tight and never allowed Bangladesh to build any momentum except for a couple of overs, although Josh Little had an off day and went for a few too many. Humphreys returned later to rip through the middle order with three wickets in one over, completely breaking the back of the chase, and McCarthy chipped in with two more. The only minor blot was some sloppy catching at the end, which denied them the chance to bowl Bangladesh out earlier.

Earlier in the game, Ireland put up an imposing total thanks to a splendid 69 off 45 from Harry Tector, and the real positive for them was that everyone who got in contributed. For Bangladesh, Tanzim Hasan Sakib picked up a couple of wickets, while Rishad Hossain and Shoriful Islam claimed one apiece, but apart from Mustafizur Rahman, the rest leaked too many runs, particularly in the death overs.

Bangladesh’s chase was one to forget, as they never really found any momentum at all. Their top order crumbled early, limping to 20/4 in the Powerplay - their lowest such score since the 2024 T20 World Cup. Jaker Ali and Tawhid Hridoy tried to steady the ship, but once Ali fell, Hridoy was left battling alone. To his credit, he kept playing his shots and fought it out till the end, finishing unbeaten on 83 - his highest T20I score, but the target was always out of reach.

Ireland strike first in the series! It’s also their maiden win in this format in 2025, and with a display like this, they’ve sent out a strong message that they can take down higher-ranked sides. For Bangladesh, the concerns continue to grow - after the 3-0 loss to West Indies, this now makes it their fourth straight defeat at this venue.

MISFIELD, FOUR! A length ball, outside off. Tawhid Hridoy climbs on the bounce and flat bats it to the right of the bowler. The long on fielder, Mark Adair, moves sideways to his left, and slides to cut it off, but fails to do so. The ball gets parried through to the ropes. Hridoy remains unbeaten on 83, his highest T20I score. IRELAND WIN BY 39 RUNS AND GO 1-0 UP IN THE SERIES!

Throws everything left in the tank, but doesn't connect. Slower length ball, outside off, Hridoy is forced to reach at it, and tries to cut it square on the off side, but misses.

FOUR! Finds the gap again! Overpitched delivery, outside off. Tawhid Hridoy smashes it powerfully, and flatly over extra cover for a boundary.

SIX! Goes all the way! Serves it up in the slot, does Curtis, on off. Tawhid Hridoy is deep inside the crease and hoists it down the ground for a massive six.

On a fuller length, on middle and leg, Tawhid Hridoy chips it over mid on off the toe end, and does not run.

An off cutter, around off, Rahman plays it very late and ends up chopping it to the point region for a single.

Can Ireland bowl Bangladesh out here? They did spill a couple of chances, but if they manage to do it in the last over, it will be the cherry on top for them. Here's Curtis Campher to bowl the final over.

A length-delivery, outside off, Tawhid Hridoy swings wildly at it, only to miss.