The opening T20 in Chattogram served as a wake-up call for Bangladesh’s bowlers. Ireland, looking to move past their Test defeat, put on a full-blooded batting display in the first match, with Harry Tector at the centre of the storm. His innings helped Ireland post a record team total of 181/4, setting Bangladesh a challenging target of 182 to win.
Tector played a blistering innings of 69 not out off 45 balls, striking five sixes and a single four, taking control of the match in the final overs. His brother, Tim Tector, contributed 32 runs off 24 balls, forming a crucial partnership. The early powerplay saw Sterling and Harry Tector add 48 runs, followed by a 24-run partnership between the Tector brothers in the middle overs, and a late surge by Campher and Tector further accelerated the score.
For Bangladesh, it was a day to forget. Tanvir Hasan was the most successful bowler with 2 wickets for 41 runs in 4 overs, but others struggled to contain the Irish batsmen. Shoriful Islam initially applied pressure but eventually fell victim to the Tector duo. Nasum and Rishad bowled tightly in the middle overs but leaked crucial runs, while Mustafizur Rahman regained some control in the final powerplay, conceding only 3 runs.
Ireland Batting Summary
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s/6s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Tector | 69* | 45 | 1/5 |
| Tim Tector | 32 | 24 | 2/1 |
| Campher | 25 | 15 | 2/1 |
| Sterling | 48 | 30 | 4/2 |
Ireland’s batting strategy was clear—steady in the middle, explosive at the end—and it paid off handsomely. Chasing 182 in Chattogram has been a rare feat in international T20 cricket, with only one similar instance in the 2014 World Cup when England chased 190 against Sri Lanka. However, the presence of Liton, Tanzid, Parvez, and Hriday gives fans hope for an exciting contest.