Stirling, Carmichael Feast on Bangladesh’s Butterfingers in T20 Thriller

Ireland’s Paul Stirling and Amy Hunter Carmichael exploited Bangladesh’s sloppy fielding to power their team to a resounding 43-run victory in a high-octane T20 clash at Sylhet International Stadium. Dropped catches and misfields haunted the hosts, allowing Ireland to post 185/4 before skittling Bangladesh for 142.

Bangladesh’s Costly Fielding Meltdown

Bangladesh’s fielders endured a nightmare, spilling four clear chances in the first 10 overs. Stirling, dropped twice before reaching 30, and Carmichael, gifted a lifeline at mid-wicket, ruthlessly punished the lapses. Taskin Ahmed and Rishad Hossain’s missed opportunities proved decisive as the Irish duo piled on the runs.

Stirling’s Aggressive Masterclass

The Irish skipper smashed 78 off 49 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes), leveraging reprieves to dismantle Bangladesh’s attack. His slog-sweep dominated the spinners, while his post-match remark—“You have to make luck count in T20s”—summed up his opportunistic knock.

Carmichael’s Ice-Cold Finish

Playing the perfect foil, Carmichael anchored the innings before accelerating late, finishing unbeaten on 45 (32 balls). Her three boundaries in the final over sealed Bangladesh’s fate, showcasing her maturity under pressure.

Bangladesh’s Batting Collapse

Chasing 186, Bangladesh crumbled to 142 all out in 18.3 overs. Despite brief resistance from Litton Das (29) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (24), Ireland’s bowlers—led by Barry McCarthy (3 wickets) and Josh Little—sealed the win with disciplined spells.

Key Takeaways

• Ireland’s Positives: Stirling’s form, Carmichael’s emergence, and clinical bowling.
• Bangladesh’s Woes: Fielding errors and brittle middle-order exposed.

What’s Next?

With the T20 World Cup looming, Bangladesh must address their fielding lapses, while Ireland will aim to build momentum.

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