Bangladesh secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over Ireland in the second ODI at Chelmsford’s County Ground, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. While Harry Tector’s career-best knock of 140 off 112 deliveries, supported by George Dockrell’s unbeaten 74 off 47, powered Ireland to 319/6, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s maiden ODI century and Towhid Hridoy’s contribution of 68 off 58 led Bangladesh’s successful chase.
After losing their openers early, Bangladesh found stability through a 61-run partnership between Najmul and Shakib Al Hasan. Once Shakib departed, Najmul and Hridoy forged a crucial 131-run stand for the fourth wicket, keeping Bangladesh on course. However, Ireland staged a comeback by taking quick wickets, reducing Bangladesh to 286/6 in the 40th over.
With 34 runs required from the last five overs, Mushfiqur Rahim, the experienced campaigner, guided Bangladesh to victory with an unbeaten 36 off 28 deliveries. There were tense moments when a close run-out appeal was ruled not out by the third umpire, and Rahim was caught in the deep in the final over with five runs needed. However, the umpire deemed Mark Adair’s full toss above the waist, allowing Rahim to scoop the subsequent free hit for a boundary. Bangladesh clinched the lead in the series, overcoming the rain-affected first ODI.
Najmul Hossain Shanto's Maiden 100 Runs Celebration.#BCB | #Cricket | #IREvBAN pic.twitter.com/6LV5qxoPZm
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) May 12, 2023
The match began later than scheduled due to rain, with Bangladesh electing to bowl in the reduced 45-over game. Hasan Mahmud made early breakthroughs, dismissing Ireland’s openers Paul Stirling (0) and Stephen Doheny (12). Tector and captain Andy Balbirnie (42) revived the innings with a 98-run partnership for the third wicket, with Tector contributing the majority of the runs. Shoriful Islam ended the partnership by removing Balbirnie, followed by the dismissal of Lorcan Tucker. Tector continued to score aggressively, while Curtis Campher’s dismissal off Taijul Islam left Ireland at 167/5.
Dockrell joined forces with Tector, and the pair unleashed a blistering 115-run partnership off just 68 deliveries. Tector reached his fourth ODI century and unleashed two sixes in an over against Taijul, while Dockrell struck three maximums off Shoriful. Dockrell reached a rapid fifty off 30 balls before Ebadot Hossain dismissed Tector.
Dockrell and Adair added a quickfire 37 runs off 18 deliveries, propelling Ireland past the 300-run mark. However, their total proved insufficient in the end, as Bangladesh emerged victorious.
