Ireland outclassed Bangladesh by 39 runs in the first T20I of the three-match series at Chattogram. The visitors posted 181/4 in 20 overs, thanks to blazing knocks from Harry Tector and Tim Tector. Tanzim Hasan Sakib (2/41 in 4 overs) was the best bowler for Bangladesh.

While chasing, Bangladesh lost quick wickets in the early overs. Matthew Humphreys (4/13 in 4 overs) and Barry McCarthy (3/23 in 4 overs) wreaked havoc on the Bangladeshi batters. Towhid Hridoy tried to fight alone as wickets fell around him continuously.

The visitors successfully defended an above-par total, led by strong performances from the Tector brothers. Bangladesh have now lost four T20Is in a row, while Ireland claimed their first victory of the year.

Tim Tector takes charge early

Ireland started well with captain Paul Stirling hitting three early boundaries. Tim Tector then took over. He smashed Shoriful Islam for four boundaries in the third over, which cost Bangladesh 18 runs. Stirling departed in the fifth over, but Tim continued to attack. Harry joined him, and the brothers kept scoring at both ends.

Tim brought up Ireland’s fifty with a stylish inside-out shot over the covers. He then drove Tanzim through point. His innings ended in the ninth over when Rishad dismissed him and Tanzim caught him at long-on.

Harry Tector dominates the finish

Harry had already struck two boundaries, including a straight six, before Tim’s dismissal. He then went after Rishad again with more straight hitting. Shoriful removed Lorcan Tucker for 18 in the thirteenth over, but Curtis Campher helped Harry maintain the pressure. Campher scored 24 off 17 balls and hit three fours.

Harry pulled Shoriful for his third six over midwicket. He finished the innings with two more towering sixes over long-on in the final over, giving Ireland a strong total that proved too much for Bangladesh.

Adair returns strongly as Ireland dominate the powerplay

Fast bowler Mark Adair made an impressive comeback. He played his first international series since knee surgery in August and immediately rattled Bangladesh. Matthew Humphreys also starred with the ball. The left-arm spinner took 4 for 13 and claimed three wickets in one over despite the wet conditions.

Ireland struck early. Humphreys removed Tanzid Hasan in the first over, when the batter hit a simple catch to mid-on. Adair produced a wicket-maiden in his first over of competitive cricket after five months. He dismissed Litton Das, who sliced a half-hearted cut into the circle. Bangladesh slipped to 5 for 3 in the fourth over when Adair removed Parvez Hossain Emon with a catch at midwicket.

Saif Hassan tried to steady the innings with the team’s first boundary in the fifth over. But Barry McCarthy bowled him soon after. Adair ended his fiery spell with figures of 2-1-3-2.

Jaker and Hridoy offer brief resistance

Towhid Hridoy tried to rescue Bangladesh as the required rate climbed above 12 an over. He hit Josh Little over mid-off for four and cut Gareth Delany to the boundary. In the tenth over, both Hridoy and Jaker Ali struck Delany for a six each. The pair looked ready to rebuild, but Jaker’s struggles continued. He fell for 20 off 16 balls, caught at deep third.

Humphreys destroys the tail

Humphreys returned for his final over and experienced a mix of success and frustration. He dismissed Tanzim with the first ball, caught at long-on. The wet ball slipped from his fingers, and he bowled three wides. But he regained control quickly. He trapped Rishad Hossain lbw and then had Nasum Ahmed stumped off back-to-back deliveries.

Ireland dropped several catches in the last few overs due to the slippery ball. Hridoy, however, reached his fifth T20I fifty. He added 48 runs with Shoriful Islam for the ninth wicket, but the partnership did not threaten Ireland’s dominant position.