Bangladesh women鈥檚 cricket team suffered a 3-0 clean sweep in the hands of their Irish counterparts as they lost the third and final T20I match of the series by four wickets at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Ireland won the first two matches by 12 runs and 47 runs, respectively, at the same venue.聽
After being sent to bat, the visitors restricted Bangladesh to 123-7 in the stipulated overs before Laura Delany鈥檚 heroics led Ireland to reach 124-6 with one ball to spare.聽
Delany scored 36 runs off 31 balls, held her nerve, and struck three fours in consecutive deliveries off Shorna Akter in the last over to get the tourists over the mark.
Opener Amy Hunter scored 28 runs, while captain Gabi Lewis contributed a crucial 21 for Ireland.聽
The bowlers put up a valiant effort in defending a modest total, with leg-spinner Rabeya Khan taking 2-17 runs in her four overs.
Jannatul Ferdous and Nahida Akter also contributed by claiming one wicket each.
Bangladesh had Ireland reeling at 70-4 at one point. However, their efforts ultimately fell short as Shrona was unable to defend 15 runs in the final over.
After the match, captain Nigar Sultana Joty expressed disappointment over her team鈥檚 inability to seize control during crucial moments throughout the series.
鈥業n such matches, game awareness is crucial. Not being able to handle pressure during key moments is a problem,鈥� Joty said at the press conference.
鈥業f you can鈥檛 take the opportunities in crucial moments, then winning a match becomes very difficult.鈥櫬�
Joty also held herself and other senior players accountable for the team鈥檚 poor performance.聽
鈥楨xperienced players should have stepped up. I didn鈥檛 score any runs throughout the series, and I feel I have failed as a top-order batter.鈥�
Batting first, Bangladesh lost opener Murshida Khatun (12) cheaply, then Sobhana Mostary and Sharmin Akhter shared 71 runs for the second wicket before Sharmin was dismissed for 34 by Amiee Maguire.聽
Sobhana top-scored with 45 off 43 balls, including six boundaries, also strangled to the same bowler, leaving Bangladesh 107-3 in 15.2 overs.聽
Following that, they could add just 16 runs, losing four wickets in quick succession.
Orla Prendergast was the standout bowler for Ireland with 4-22, while Maguire took 2-25.
