Shakib Al Hasan and Litton Das' synergy helped Bangladesh bulldoze Ireland by 77 runs in the second T20I in Chattogram on Wednesday (March 29) to eventually seal the three-match series 2-0 with a match to spare. It was Bangladesh's second-biggest win in the slam bang format in terms of runs.
Riding on Litton's cracking 41-ball 83 Bangladesh posted a huge total of 202/3 in 17 overs in a rain delay affair. In reply Ireland could only manage to score 125/9 to hand Bangladesh a convincing win, thanks to Shakib's stunning 5/22, who surpassed Tim Southee to become the highest wicket-taker in T20 format.
Batting first, Litton was all guns blazing from the word go as he belted Bangladesh's fastest half-century in the format as took just 18 balls to reach the mark. He shattered Mohammad Ashraful's 15-year-old long-standing record, who whacked a 20-ball fifty against West Indies in the inaugural World T20. Litton had an opening stand of 124 runs with last-match hero Rony Talulkdar, who scored 44 runs off 23 balls.
Skipper Shakib made his impact with the bat yet again as he hit a 24-ball 38* in the slog overs while Towhid Hridoy (24 off 13) joined in too to take Bangladesh past 200 runs. Among Ireland bowlers, Benjamin White took 2/28 while Mark Adair gave away 52 runs for a wicket. Pacer Graham Hume proved too costly by giving away 49 runs in three overs.
Chasing the target, Ireland were handed an early blow by last-match bowling star Taskin Ahmed, who took 3/27, removed opener Paul Stirling off the first ball of the innings. Shakib then removed Lorcan Tucker, Ross Adair, and Delany (all scored six runs each) in his first two overs to take Ireland out of the chase. The latter two were taken in his second over.
The Bangladesh skipper delivered another double-wicket over later in which he dismissed George Dockrell and Harry Tector, to complete his second fifer in T20Is. Curtis Campher struck a brilliant 30-ball 50 but his effort went in vain.
Bangladesh and Ireland will lock horns with each other yet again in the dead rubber at the same venue on Friday which will be followed by a one-off Test in Dhaka which is slated to start from Tuesday.
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