Bangladesh A have cruised past the Ireland Wolves in the first unofficial T20I of the three-match series between the two teams. The Bangladeshi side is currently leading the series 1-0.

Batting first Ireland A were all-out for 152 runs in 20 overs. Bangladesh A bowled brilliantly under Soumya’s stewardship, before he put up another fantastic display with the bat.

Simi Singh was the only batsman from the Irish camp who coped well with the change in bowling, while the rest of the batters failed to make an impact. Simi made 41 runs before leaving the crease and the other notable contributions came from Stuart Thompson and Kevin O Brien’s bat, who scored 20-odd runs each.

Two of the Bangladesh A fast-bowlers, Shariful Islam and Mohammad Saifuddin, accounted for four wickets, while the three spinners in the line-up took as many scalps.

The Soumya-led men dealt an early blow while batting as Andy McBrine returned opener Zakir Hasan for a duck. Soumya then stitched a 62-run stand with Nazmul Hossain to restore the innings for his team. Nazmul made 38 before returning to the pavilion but the Bangladesh A skipper remained at the crease until his side required a handful of runs to win the clash with enough deliveries in hand. He belted a half-century and was dismissed by McBrine for 57.

Mohammad Mithun, who batted brilliantly in his last two innings in this tour, couldn’t manage to score enough runs today (Monday). Al-Amin and Mizanur Rahman, too, disappointed with the bat, but Afif’s unbeaten innings of 35 runs ensured a convincing victory for Bangladesh A.

McBrine’s three-wicket haul and Peter Chase’s double strike turned into mere stats in the end as Bangladesh A won the match four wickets with two over remaining.

The second T20 between these two sides will take place on Wednesday (August 15) and the series closer will be held on August 17.

 

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