Under the fading Chattogram light, Bangladesh delivered a determined performance to keep the series alive, led by a wonderfully controlled innings from captain Liton Das. When he lifted his bat after reaching fifty, relief washed across his face—a sign not merely of a personal milestone achieved, but of a match reclaimed from a precarious position.
Ireland, choosing to bat first, came out swinging. Paul Stirling’s ferocious 14-ball 29 set the tone, and with Tim Tector joining the assault, Bangladesh found themselves on the defensive early. The pair raced to 57 inside five overs, prompting worry in the home camp. Tanzim Hasan’s removal of Stirling provided a crucial breakthrough, but Ireland still held the upper hand.
Tim Tector’s strokeplay continued to impress. His 38 off 25 balls, including two towering sixes, suggested bigger trouble ahead. That threat, however, was neutralised by Mehidy Hasan, who delivered a spell of poise and precision. His three wickets for 25 runs halted Ireland’s charge and restored balance to the contest.
Even so, Lorcan Tucker ensured Ireland posted a challenging target with a brisk 41 off 32 balls. Their final tally of 170 looked substantial given Bangladesh’s recent struggles in high chases.
Bangladesh, though, responded with greater intent. Parvez Hossain’s sparkling 43 off 28 balls ignited the run chase, countering the early loss of Tanzid Hasan. Once Parvez departed, Liton assumed full command. His innings blended caution with calculated aggression, and his 52-run stand with Saif Hassan appeared to seal the match long before the winning runs were scored.
The chase briefly wobbled when Bangladesh lost wickets in quick succession, but Mehidy’s assured boundary in the final over brought an air of calm to an increasingly tense finish. The match ended with Bangladesh victorious by four wickets—an outcome that breathes life back into the series ahead of a winner-takes-all finale.
