Ireland blown away by Bangladesh!

image-lftppqqsBangladesh players celebrating wicket (Source: AP Photo)

Bangladesh continued their dominating performance at home as they eased past Ireland again to take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in a three-match T20I series. Bangladesh notched up their second 200-plus score in consecutive games which proved too much for Ireland again as they ended up losing the game by 77 runs. The skipper, Shakib Al Hasan was the star with his all-round performance as Ireland once again failed to show any application with both bat and ball.

Bangladesh start off with a bang after rain delayed the start of the game

Bangladesh openers, Litton Das and Rony Talukdar continued their brilliant form from the last game and stitched together a 124-run stand in just 56 balls after rain made sure that we have a curtailed 17-over game. Shakib and Hridoy then continued the momentum after openers departed as Bangladesh finished with a huge score of 202-3. Litton Das was the highest scorer with 83 off 41 balls which was also the fastest fifty in a T20I by a Bangladeshi batter. 

For Ireland, only Benjamin White could make an impact with his leg-breaks and picked two wickets but overall, Ireland were way below-par with the ball.

Shakib Al Hasan and Taskin Ahmed dismantle Ireland!

Taskin Ahmed was once again was on the mark with the ball and sent back Ireland's skipper for a golden duck on the very first ball of Ireland's innings. Shakib Al Hasan then decided to take matter in his hands and ran through Ireland's middle order as he picked his first five-wicket haul in T20Is and became the leading wicket-taker in T20Is.

Curtis Campher did put up a fight with an aggressive fifty but Ireland were never in the chase and could score only 125 runs in their 17 overs. Taskin picked three wickets too and Bangladesh camp would be a pretty happy lot. 

The final T20I of the series will be played on Friday, 31st of March at the same venue, Chattogram and it is a last opportunity for Ireland to redeem themselves before both teams turned out in whites for a one-off Test match.

Brief Score 

Bangladesh - 202/3 (17)

Litton Das - 83(41), Rony Talukdar - 44(23)
Benjamin White - (2/28)

Ireland  -  125/9 (17)

Curtis Campher - 50(31), Harry Tector - 22(16)
Shakib Al Hasan - (5/22), Taskin Ahmed -(3/27)