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ZeeaK 
Ireland ended a 14-month long winless streak in the T20 format, securing a dominant 39-run victory over the hosts Bangladesh in the opening match of the three-game series at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram.
First Innings: The Tector Family Sets the Tone
After Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl, Ireland utilized the batting-friendly conditions to post a challenging total of 181 for 4.
- Stirling and Tim Tector: Captain Paul Stirling provided a quick start (21 off 18 balls), but it was the assault by Tim Tector (32 off 19 balls) that put the pressure on Bangladesh’s bowlers early on.
- Harry Tector Anchors: The backbone of the innings was provided by Harry Tector, who batted through the entire innings to score a magnificent unbeaten 69 off 45 balls, featuring five sixes.
- Late Power: Tector was supported by valuable cameos from Curtis Campher (24) and Lorcan Tucker (18), ensuring Ireland finished with a strong total. Tanzim Hasan Sakib was the most successful Bangladeshi bowler, claiming two wickets.
Second Innings: Humphreys Leads the Bowlers’ Masterclass
Chasing 182, Bangladesh’s innings was severely crippled by a disciplined Irish bowling effort, particularly by the spinners, ultimately restricting the hosts to 142 for 9.
- Catastrophic Powerplay: Bangladesh’s top order suffered a disastrous collapse, losing four wickets for just 20 runs inside the Powerplay. Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy were excellent with the new ball, claiming key wickets including those of Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das, and Parvez Hossain Emon.
- Hridoy’s Heroics: All hopes rested on the shoulders of Towhid Hridoy, who played a sensational, lone hand. Hridoy scored a career-best unbeaten 83 runs off 50 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes.
- Spin Decides the Match: The real damage was inflicted by left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys. He returned to the attack and ripped through the middle order with a match-winning spell, finishing with incredible figures of 4 wickets for just 13 runs. Humphreys’ spell broke the back of the chase, leaving Hridoy stranded. Barry McCarthy also impressed, finishing with three wickets.
Matthew Humphreys was rightly named Player of the Match for his career-best performance, giving Ireland a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
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