Host Ireland registered a nail-biting victory in the last ball of the chase to deny Bangladesh women’s cricket team from recording their maiden bilateral series whitewash. The in-form Tigresses went into the third and final T20I in Dublin Sunday on the back of two wins in as many matches. The women in red and green however, suffered a six-wicket defeat in the third game.
Asked to bat first, Bangladesh, riding on Fargana Haque’s second T20I half-century, posted a record 151 runs losing four wickets in their stipulated 20 overs. Bangladesh surpassed their previous best total of 142 in the shortest format of the game, against India in the ACC Asia Cup T20I in Kuala Lumpur last month.
A series sweep would have meant yet another feather to the hat for Bangladesh. The Tigresses have been in sizzling form of late, winning seven consecutive matches, starting with the Asia Cup. Bangladesh made history in Malaysia, clinching the regional six-nation tournament, riding on five consecutive wins.
Defending 151, Bangladesh removed the Irish openers by the seventh over, and maintained a tight line and length. However, Gaby Lewis added 50 to the board, while captain Laura Delany contributed 46 to ease the pressure.
The winning runs were scored by Isobel Joyce, who was unbeaten on 22 off 14 with two boundaries. With the in-form Jahanara Alam in attack, the Irish side needed 11 runs off the last over.
The first three balls of the over went for a single each, bringing in three runs, while in the fourth delivery, Jahanara conceded a wide but a mix-up in the middle saw Delany caught short of the crease. And thus, the home side needed seven runs off three balls. In the next two deliveries, Joyce picked up a double and struck a four. In the sixth and last ball, she secured victory after guiding the ball to the cover region.
Earlier, Fargana’s unbeaten 66 off 47 balls steered Bangladesh to a record 151. Fargana, who struck half a dozen fours and two over boundaries, emerged as the highest run-scorer for Bangladesh in the shortest format. Fargana has been in brilliant form in the last few months and Sunday, she only continued her purple match. Bangladesh were given a good start as Shamima Sultana and Ayasha Rahman made 30 and 27 respectively.
The series served as preparation for both the teams, ahead of the World T20I Qualifiers later this month, scheduled to be hosted by the Netherlands. The World T20I will be held in the West Indies later this month.
The two team captains at the coin toss, with Match Referee Kevin Gallagher. Ireland won the toss and has elected to bowl first. #BackingGreen pic.twitter.com/aPOMU5IaAD
— Ireland Women’s Cricket Team (@IrishWomensCric) July 1, 2018
3RD T20I
Ireland women 152/4 (Lewis 50, Delany 46) beat Bangladesh women 151/4 (Fargana 66*, Shamima 30) by six wickets