BAN VS IRE - 2nd T20I, Ireland tour of Bangladesh, 2025

Paul Stirling | Ireland captain: Yeah, look, it seems to be the way that the game goes in Chittagong. It's quite quick and early on it's easier to bat than you thought. And then it sort of gets harder as the game progresses. And that happened in both innings today. I think the difference in the game was probably maybe our last 4 or 5 overs for the bat. Where they bowled brilliantly, I would say it's more credit to them than anything against us. 100%. We needed to pick up wickets at crucial stages and we've managed to do that. We got two new batters in a couple of times and that was our chance to strike and we just didn't quite get there in the end.

Bangladesh have learnt their lessons. They started off on a positive note by taking on Ireland's best bowler from the previous game - Matthew Humphreys - hitting the left-arm spinner for a six and four in the opening over. Picked up a boundary off every single powerplay over and knocked off 66 in the first six. Just like their opponents, Ireland pulled things back after the 6th over, claiming the wicket of Parvez Hossain and conceding 20 off 4 overs while at it. Post the departure of Parvez, skipper Litton Das assumed the role of aggressor and notched up a 34-ball fifty, bringing the equation down to just 33 off the last 5 overs. Both Litton and Saif Hassan got out in the space of 4 balls, which allowed the visitors to string a few dots and create a bit of nervous energy, but Saifuddin kept his cool and struck vital boundaries to seal the deal.

22:02 Local Time, 16:02 GMT, 21:32 IST: Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons is more relieved than anything else. Litton Das comes out to shake hands with the players with just his left hand, he is protecting his right hand. Clearly not feeling well with his right hand. It got a lot closer than Bangladesh wanted but they have managed to level the series.

Joshua Little to Mahedi Hasan, FOUR, Mahedi Hasan finishes it off. Fullish outside off, Mahedi gets forward and lofts nicely, stylishly too, over extra-cover, almost all the way, one bounce over the ropes, smiles at last in the Bangladesh camp. The series is level 1-1

Hello, hello! Joshua Little tries to run Saifuddin out at the non-strikers. But Saifuddin with a smile points a finger at the bowler as if to say you can't do that, who is also all smiles. Smiles in the Bangladesh dugout too. To be fair to Saifuddin, he was looking at Little and was inside. A gentle warning that. Clearly Little looked for the run-out there.

It is McCarthy wiping the ball with a rag and also setting the field. The off-side field is up.

Joshua Little to Saifuddin, 1 run, scores level. On a length outside off, Saifuddin pushes at it, the thick outside-edge runs away, third man is well in from the fence, he fumbles but they are happy with one

Another discussion between Joshua Little and McCarthy. The field remains the same.

Joshua Little to Saifuddin, no run, good length outside off, Saifuddin punches and finds short point, Mahedi Hasan has to get back and it's a dot

Mahedi Hasan and Saifuddin have a chat. Will Ireland bring the field up. McCarthy has a chat to Joshua Little. Third man coming up.

Joshua Little to Mahedi Hasan, 1 run, full outside off, Mahedi Hasan gets forward and lofts, with an open face, Delany at sweeper cover keeps it to one

Joshua Little [3.0-0-33-0] is back into the attack

That six and four from Saifuddin has given Bangladesh all the momentum. Just 3 needed now.

Mark Adair to Saifuddin, FOUR, nothing short of length delivery on middle and leg, sits up and Saifuddin goes on the back foot to nail the pull to the deep backward square-leg fence, hit that hard and now Bangladesh are firm favorites

Umps have a word with Stirling. About the over-rate.

Mark Adair to Saifuddin, no run, a juicy low full-toss outside off, Saifuddin gets forward and times the drive, but picks out Stirling at cover, Mark Adair lucky there

Mark Adair round the wicket.

Mark Adair to Saifuddin, SIX, what a good hit. That should ease all the nerves in the Bangladesh camp. A slower-ball and the off-cutter full and wide outside off, Saifuddin sinks low on his back knee, lofts so nicely, over the wide long-off fence and it's all the way too, such a clean hit. The crowd and the Bangladesh dugout are up and celebrating, they know this is a crucial hit

Mark Adair to Mahedi Hasan, 1 run, good length on middle, Mahedi Hasan shuffles across and flicks to deep mid-wicket for one

Mahedi Hasan, right handed bat, comes to the crease