Taskin-Rony shine to seal rain-hit T20 opener over Ireland

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Bangladesh beat Ireland by 22 runs (D/L method) in the first Twenty20 international to go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series in Chittagong on Monday. Due to rain interruption Ireland's target was 104 in eight overs.

Rony Talukdar scored his first T20I half-century, and Taskin bowled his best T20I bowling figure to win the game.

Nasum Ahmed gave up 18 runs in his first over. The second over was bowled by Mustafizur Rahman, who allowed 14 runs. Following the first two overs, Ireland quickly reached 32 for no loss. The Irish openers, Ross Adair and Paul Stirling, were both in the mood to hit every ball they faced.

In the third over, Hasan Mahmud came to the rescue by getting the first wicket of the innings by taking Adair's wicket. Additionally, he only conceded five runs.

Three wickets were taken by Taskin Ahmed in the fourth over, effectively putting an end to the match in the Tigers' favor. When the last ball of the over rolled around, he had already sent Lorcan Tucker, Stirling, and Goerge Dockrell back to the pavilion.

In the last over, Taskin took his fourth wicket. After eight overs, Ireland managed to score 81/5.

PHOTO: Taskin Ahmed with Hasan Mahmud, AFP

Earlier, player of the match Rony struck a career-best 67 from 38 balls as Bangladesh posted 207-5 in 19.2 overs before rain ended their innings.

Rony put on 91 runs in just seven overs in an opening stand with Liton Das, who made 47 off 23 balls, after stand-in Ireland skipper Paul Stirling won the toss and elected to bowl.

Craig Young broke the stand when he forced Liton to hole out to Stirling at mid-off and Harry Tector soon had Najmul Hossain stumped for 14.

Ireland were hoping to put the brakes on Bangladesh's scoring spree once Graham Hume bowled Rony, who smacked seven fours and three sixes in his maiden T20I fifty.

However, Shamim Hossain’s 20-ball 30 and Shakib Al Hasan's 20 not out off 13 balls helped Bangladesh race past the 200-run mark before rain brought a premature end.

Right-arm pacer Young claimed 2-45 for Ireland.

This game is Bangladesh’s first T20I at home against Ireland, who have rested regular skipper Andrew Balbirnie for the three-match series.

Bangladesh won the preceding three-match one-day international series 2-0. The teams will meet for a one-off Test in early April.