Bangladesh kept their nerve for the second time in three days and pulled off yet another thrilling victory, this time by five runs, to seal the three-match one-day international series against Ireland in Chelmsford Sunday.
Last Friday at the same venue, the Tigers maintained their composure and secured an exciting three-wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The men in red and green then showed their mettle with the leather Sunday to emerge victorious by the narrowest of margins and claim the series 2-0 after last Tuesday's opening game was washed out.
Chasing 275 for a series levelling victory, Ireland were well on their way thanks to half centuries from Paul Stirling (60), captain Andy Balbirnie (53) and Lorcan Tucker (50).
Following the early departure of Stephen Doheny (four), opener Stirling and Balbirnie added 109 for the second wicket before last match's centurion Harry Tector (45) and Tucker combined for a 79-run fourth wicket stand.
However, from there on it was all Bangladesh as skipper Tamim Iqbal made an inspired bowling change, bringing in part-timer Nazmul Hossain Shanto (1/10) who dismissed a set Tector.
Tucker was cleaned up by player of the match Mustafizur Rahman (4/44) who alongside Hasan Mahmud (2/44) accounted for the wickets of the Irish lower-order to give Bangladesh the game, and with it, the series.
Mehedi Hasan Miraz was also crucial as he leaked only 38 runs in his quota of 10 overs, and sent back the dangerous Stirling.
Bangladesh were earlier all out for 274 in 48.5 overs after being invited to bat first.
Tamim registered his 56th ODI fifty but for the others it was a case of getting off to good starts and departing before prolonging their knocks.
The southpaw scored 69 off 82 balls with half a dozen fours while Mushfiqur Rahim (45), Miraz (37), player of the series Shanto and Liton Das (both 35) also chipped in as the Tigers were well on course towards the 300-run mark.
But Bangladesh lost their way, losing the last five wickets in 20 deliveries for the addition of only 13 runs.
Mark Adair bagged four wickets while Andy McBrine and George Dockrell picked up two each.
Bangladesh made three changes to the side as Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam and the injured Shakib al Hasan made way for Mustafizur and debutants Mrittunjoy Chowdhury and Rony Talukdar.
The Tigers will now turn their attention to the upcoming home series against Afghanistan comprising a solitary Test, three ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals.
