Bangladesh women's team confirmed the three-match One Day International series with a game to spare after cruising to a five-wicket win over Ireland in the second clash at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Saturday.
After opting to bat first, Ireland were restricted to 193/6, a total that Bangladesh overhauled in 43.5 overs by reaching 197/5.
Opener Fargana Hoque Pinky led the charge with an 89-ball 50, studded with six fours.
Sharmin Akhter Supta, who hammered an 89-ball 96 in Bangladesh's crushing 154-run victory in the first game, made 43.
Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty edged the home side close to victory with a 39-ball 40 that included four boundaries and one six.
Shorna Akter, who was not out on a run-a-ball 29, signed off the game with a four.
Bangladesh lost opener Murshida Khatun cheaply as she departed for six.
But Fargana and Sharmin steadied the ship with an 85-run partnership for the second wicket.
When Laura Delany broke the association, Bangladesh suffered a mini-collapse, losing three quick wickets for 29 runs.
Player of the match Nigar and Shorna then shared a 53-run stand for the fifth wicket to take the hosts on the verge of victory.
Though Arlene Kelly dismissed Nigar, Shorna took the Tigresses home without any more fuss.
Ireland, who were bowled out for just 98 runs in the first ODI, fared better in the second encounter, thanks to Amy Hunter's 68.
Orla Prendergast gave her ample support with 37 while Delany, who took two Bangladesh wickets, scored 33.
Sultana Khatun bagged two wickets while Nahida Akter and Shorna picked up one apiece.
The women in red and green must win the third and final ODI against the Irish and all three matches against their West Indian counterparts in the next series for direct qualification to the Women's Cricket World Cup, to be held in India next year.
2ND ODI
Ireland women 193/6 (Hunter 68, Sultana 2/32) lost to Bangladesh women 197/5 in 43.5 overs (Fargana 50, Sharmin 43) by 5 wickets