Rishad, Mustafizur dominate, Tanzid steals the show as Bangladesh secure series-win

Ireland, after choosing to bat first, began the innings with real authority. The surface was the same one used for the opening T20I, where they had piled up 181/4, and they looked eager to repeat something similar. Paul Stirling set the tone early with fearless improvisation against Mahedi Hasan, sweeping and reverse sweeping while finding gaps with ease. Alongside him, Tim Tector settled quickly and the pair handled Shoriful Islam and Mohammad Saifuddin with composure.

The momentum shifted when Shoriful, having just been struck for six, hit back with a slightly fuller ball that went through Tim Tector’s defence. Mustafizur Rahman then landed an immediate second blow by removing Harry Tector, who chopped one onto his stumps. Ireland finished the powerplay at 51 for 2, and from there Bangladesh’s fightback only grew stronger.

Mahedi Hasan played a key role, winning a clever review to dismiss Lorcan Tucker lbw. The ball-tracking showed three reds and Tanvir Ahmed had to overturn his call. At the other end, Rishad Hossain produced the best turn of the night. His googly was ripping both ways and Ireland struggled to pick it. A looping googly beat Curtis Campher’s inside edge and crashed into middle stump. Another flighted and slower googly tempted Paul Stirling into a slog sweep that went straight to Saif Hassan in the deep. Rishad ended with an excellent spell of 3 for 21 in 4 overs.

Once Stirling and Tim Tector were gone, Ireland never looked comfortable again. Bangladesh kept squeezing and Mustafizur Rahman took control in the death overs. His late burst of wickets lifted him past Ish Sodhi to become the third highest wicket taker in T20I history. It was a significant milestone and a reminder of his enduring class.

Then came the final highlight. Tanzid Hasan Tamim delivered one of the best fielding displays by a Bangladeshi in T20Is. He took five catches and joined the record for the most catches in a single innings in T20I cricket. His safe hands at deep positions ensured Ireland could not rebuild at any stage.

Ireland were eventually bowled out for just 117 with one ball left unused, a dramatic collapse after such a bright start.

Chasing 118, Bangladesh started steadily in the first over, but quickly accelerated. Tanzid Hasan Tamim hit 3 fours in his first 9 deliveries. Saif Hassan, after hitting a handsome pull shot for six and showing promise, went big down the ground and got caught by Adair off Young’s bowling. Litton too slogged off Harry Tector’s bowling and got caught at deep mid-wicket by Curtis Campher. Bangladesh were still in the driving seat at the end of the powerplay at 48/2.

Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Parvez Hossain Emon kept on building a partnership since then. Tanzid Tamim kept on picking up lengths early and playing all around the ground. Parvez Hossain Emon hit it down the ground and on the on side whenever he got it in his zone, especially against the slower bowlers.

With a swashbuckling pull shot, Tanzid Hasan Tamim reached his fifty off 35 balls. It was his 11th fifty in T20Is, the third most for Bangladesh. His partner, Parvez Hossain Emon finished off with a slog for four to chase down 118 in just 13.4 overs.