Ruthless Tigers out to wrap up T20 series against Ireland

|| BSS ||

Bangladesh vowed to wrap up the three-match T20 International series with a match to spare as they take on the visiting Ireland team in the second match tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here.b

The Tigers won the first T20, which was hit by rain, by 22 runs through DLS method. They put up a hefty 207-5 in 19.2 overs as the rain intervened their innings, otherwise there was every chance that the hosts could eclipse their highest T20 total of 215.

Ireland could manage 81-5 after the revised target was set for 104 runs to win in eight overs.

Bangladesh also made their intention clear that they wouldn't compromise with the aggressive brand of cricket, racking up a record 81 runs in the first powerplay.

T20 skipper Shakib Al Hasan revealed that it was exactly the cricket what they want to play.

"This is what we want. It is difficult for one or two guys to always contribute, want this kind of all-round performance," Shakib said. "We were not sure how the wicket will play, but we always want to be positive from the start."

Bangladesh openers set up the platform, adding 91 runs in just 7.1 overs with Rony Talukdar hitting 67 off 38 and Liton Das contributing 47 off 23.

Rony who was adjudged man of the match in the first T20 game is unlikely for the second after sustaining a shoulder injury during the fielding.

Even if he couldn't play the match, it shouldn't bother Bangladesh, as they have the enough players in from right at this moment.

Before this series, Bangladesh whitewashed world champions England in three-match series. The series victory against a mighty side was itself was a motivation to just drift away a team like Ireland. Moreover after the victory in the first match against the Irish, the Tigers took the winning streak to four, which was their joint highest in a row in this format. If they win the second game, they will set a new record.

And this should happen. Bangladesh's ruthless cricket indeed made Ireland out-of-sort and jaded.But Ireland's stand in captain Paul Stirling hoped to hit back to stay alive in the series.