Bangladesh VS Ireland T20 Series
3rd Match Played at ZACS, Sagarika Chattogram on 31 March 2023
Bangladesh 123 All Out in 19.2 Overs (Shamim Hossain 51, Mark Adair 3/25, Mathew Humphreys 2/10)
Ireland 124/3 in 14 Overs (Paul Sterling 77, Cartis Campher 16*)
Ireland Won by 7 Wickets
Bangladesh Won the Series 2-1
Player of the Match: Paul Sterling
Player of the Series: Taskin Ahmed
From 27 to 31 March 2023, Bangladesh cricket witnessed both sides of the moon. In the first two rain curtailed matches Bangladesh humiliated the tourists crashing them to huge defeats. In the last match yesterday Bangladesh got badly bruised, battered and humiliated losing to the same opponent on the same wicket by 7 wickets.
Bangladesh though won the series 2-1 but no excuses can justify the manner in which Bangladesh batting imploded on a batting paradise with balls coming easily to the bat.
Having won the bat Bangladesh opted to bat. Pace bowler Mustafiz was replaced bringing in like for like Shoriful, leg spinner Rishad came in for Mehedy Miraj. First change is understandable by why Rishad could not replace Nasum instead. Bangladesh batting got leaner. Bangladesh forgot that everyday is not Sunday and resorted to same flamboyant approach against vastly improved Irish bowling. Even after losing 4 wickets for 41 runs Bangladesh did not unleash plan B. The gay cavalier attitude put paid as none other than Shamim (51) could bat with responsibility. The wicket had no venom. Bangladesh got all out for 123. Ironically against the same opposition on the same ground in the past two matches Bangladesh scored over 200 runs in less than 20 overs. Shamim was the lone warrior. None committed to give him company. Most Bangladesh batsmen gifted their wicket playing aggressive strokes.
Ireland learning lessons from earlier matches gave no opportunity to Bangladesh bowling. Captain Paul Sterling, known for his aggressive stroke play, finally produced a match winning innings of 77. Ireland winning easily by 7 wickets with 6 overs to spare, salvage some pride. Not sure whether dilly dally attitude of BCB in releasing Litton and Shakib for IPL demotivated the team. Otherwise, why would seven batsmen get out playing cross batted strokes when playing straight could be better options?
Given that everyday is not Sunday, sometimes players must demonstrate maturity and adjustment with changing circumstances. Losing the momentum just before the test match may not augur well for Bangladesh. A bit of complacency and arrogance can be attributed to the downfall of Bangladesh yesterday.
BDST: 1139 HRS, APR 01, 2023
SMS
