On a breezy evening in Sylhet, Bangladesh Women posted 123 for 7 in their 20‑over innings, setting a modest yet defendable target. The run‑scoring was spread across the top order, with the captain anchoring the chase before the middle‑order took over. When Ireland Women began their pursuit, they seemed on track, reaching 109 for 5 after 19 overs. However, the required 15 runs from the final six balls proved too steep, and the Irish side fell short by 14 runs.
The turning point lay in the spin department. Bangladesh women cricket benefitted from Nahida Akter’s disciplined spell of four overs that conceded just 26 runs while picking up a wicket. Shorna Akter bowled two tight overs, giving away only nine runs, effectively strangling the run‑rate in the death overs.
The 3‑0 whitewash not only boosts Bangladesh’s confidence at home but also underscores the effectiveness of their spin attack in limited‑overs cricket. With the series encompassing three ODIs and three T20Is from Nov 7 to Dec 9, the home side demonstrated depth across formats, suggesting they are ready to challenge stronger opponents in upcoming qualifiers.
For Ireland, the tour highlighted the need to finish games under pressure. Their batting line‑up showed resilience but lacked the firepower to clear the last‑over hurdle. The experience gained against a rising Bangladesh side will be valuable as they prepare for the next ICC Women's World Cup cycle.
