Bangladesh’s T20 captain, Liton Das, had always emphasised the importance of his team facing tough situations before the upcoming T20 World Cup in February. The idea was simple: build resilience and match temperament under pressure. However, the reality has now taken a much harsher form.
After a 3–0 series defeat to West Indies last month, Bangladesh fell once again, losing the first T20 against Ireland. Chittagong’s Bir Sreshtho Motiur Rahman Stadium witnessed Bangladesh collapsing to 18 runs for the loss of four wickets in the powerplay while chasing 181. Top-order batters fell cheaply, offering easy catches, while only Towhid Hridoy’s unbeaten 83 runs slightly reduced the margin of defeat.
| Match | Date | Margin | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh vs Ireland | 25 Nov 2025 | 39 runs | Bangladesh lost 4 wkts |
The loss has raised questions about Bangladesh’s preparedness. Earlier in the year, the team had won four consecutive series and came close to the Asia Cup final. Are such defeats a warning ahead of the World Cup? Not according to Hridoy, who represented the team at the post-match press conference. He said, “The team is good. We have never thought that we are down. T20 is a game of momentum. We lose now, but when we start winning, the streak will continue.”
Earlier, controversy surrounded Shakim Hossain’s omission, while captain Liton and coach Phil Simmons had advocated a different batting order. Hridoy remained confident, “The squad is well-set. Every player has played multiple matches in the last year. With proper rotation and opportunities, every player can make the most of their chances.”
Even on a pitch where Ireland scored 181, Bangladesh’s batting was disappointing. Hridoy insisted, “The wicket was good. They played well, we couldn’t execute properly. Blaming the pitch is pointless.”
The next two matches of the series are scheduled for 29 November and 2 December. These games will be crucial tests for Bangladesh, providing a rehearsal under pressure before the T20 World Cup.