Ireland take 1-0 series lead after winning 1st T20I against Bangladesh

After the tough Test series, finally, Ireland had a big smile in the ongoing Bangladesh tour, as they comfortably won the first game of the three-match T20I series to take a crucial 1-0 lead in the series. 

While Bangladesh sent the visitors to bat first, Ireland scored 181/4 in 20 overs. In reply, Bangladesh's top-order batters fell early, as they quickly fell out of the game. Ultimately, Bangladesh managed to score 142/9 in 20 overs, as Ireland won by 39 runs, which was their third T20I victory against Bangladesh, but successfully T20I defending against Bangladesh. 

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Harry Tector's 69 not out played huge role in Ireland innings

Openers Paul Stirling and Tim Tector provided a solid start with a 40-run partnership for the first wicket. Skipper Stirling scored 21 off 18 balls (four fours), while Tim scored 32 off 19 balls with six fours. Harry Tector controlled the innings brilliantly by scoring 69 not out off 45 balls with one four and five sixes. Also, Lorcan Tucker (18), Curtis Campher (24), and George Dockrell (12 not out) had some useful contributions. 

Among the Bangladesh bowlers, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2/41) got two wickets, Rishad Hossain (1/34) and Shoriful Islam (1/42) had one wicket each. 

Only three Bangladesh batters reach double-digit scores

In reply, Bangladesh were 18/4, while all the top four batters failed to reach double-digit scores. Apart from the lone fighter Towhid Hridoy, who scored 83 not out off 50 balls with nine fours and three sixes, Jaker Ali (20) and Shoriful Islam (12) managed to reach the double-digit scores, as Hridoy had no support. 

Irish left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant bowling figures of 4-0-13-4. Also, Barry McCarthy (3/23) and Mark Adair (2/20) got three and two wickets, respectively.