Ireland needed 15 runs from the final over to win. While this may not seem like an impossible target in men’s cricket, it is significantly challenging in women’s cricket. Moreover, Ireland hadn’t hit a boundary between overs 16 and 19. Yet, even in such a favorable situation, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team lost the match.
In the 20th over, bowled by Swarna Akter, Laura Delany sealed the victory for Ireland by hitting consecutive boundaries on the third, fourth, and fifth balls. Bangladesh lost the match by 4 wickets, completing a 3–0 whitewash in the T20 series against Ireland. This loss came after Bangladesh’s hopes of a consolation win to avoid a clean sweep slipped away at the very last moment.
Having won the ODI series 3–0 in Mirpur, Bangladesh entered the T20 series in Sylhet with momentum but lost the first two matches, conceding the series early. Today’s match was their final chance to end the series on a high note, but a game that was within their grasp once again slipped away in the closing moments.
A Year Without a T20 Win at Home
Chasing 123, Ireland got off to a strong start. Openers Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter built a solid foundation with 51 runs in just 7 overs. However, Jannatul Ferdous removed Hunter (28) in the eighth over, followed by Rabeya Khan dismissing Lewis (21) in the ninth, bringing Bangladesh back into the match.
The Bangladeshi bowlers tightened their grip, creating pressure as Ireland’s required run rate climbed. By the end of the 19th over, Ireland still needed 15 runs. The game seemed tilted in Bangladesh’s favor when Arlene Kelly was run out on the first ball of Swarna Akter’s final over.
But Laura Delany turned the tide, hitting doubles on the second ball and then sending the next three deliveries to the boundary. One of those shots, on the fifth ball, could have been caught or at least stopped if Jannatul Ferdous at long-off had been positioned better.
Missed Opportunities with the Bat
Earlier in the match, Bangladesh’s total could have been much higher. Despite losing Murshida Khatun early, Sobhana Mostary and Sharmin Akter provided a strong platform. By the 7th over, Bangladesh had reached 50, and by the 13th, they were at 100. However, both set batters departed within 11 balls, slowing the run rate significantly.
In the final 7 overs, Bangladesh managed only 22 runs while losing 6 wickets. Mostary top-scored with 45 runs off 43 balls, while Sharmin added 34 off 33. Unfortunately, the lack of acceleration in the death overs cost them dearly.
A Disappointing Year
This was the Bangladesh women’s cricket team’s final match of 2024, a year where they failed to win a single T20 on home soil or against any ICC full-member nation.
Match Summary
Bangladesh: 123/7 in 20 overs (Mostary 45, Sharmin 34, Murshida 12; Prendergast 4/22, Maguire 2/25)
Ireland: 124/4 in 19.5 overs (Delany 36*, Hunter 28, Lewis 21; Rabeya 2/17)
Result: Ireland Women won by 4 wickets.
