Ireland completed a 3-0 win over Bangladesh in the Twenty20 series in Sylhet by securing a penultimate-ball victory in the concluding game.
The hosts looked set to clinch a consolation win in Monday’s contest but three consecutive boundaries in the final over by ex-skipper Laura Delany helped the tourists clinch a four-wicket victory.
Career-best bowling figures of 4-22 by Orla Prendergast helped restrict Bangladesh to 123-7 after Ireland captain Gaby Lewis had won the toss.
The hosts looked set for a big total as a 71-run partnership between Sobhana Mostary (45) and Sharmin Akter (34) moved them to 104-1 by the 14th over.
However, Aimee Maguire dismissed both before Prendergast went on to take three further wickets as she completed the T20 series with another impressive bowling performance following her earlier figures of 3-24 and 3-13.
In Ireland’s reply, Lewis (21) and Amy Hunter (28) put on 55 runs for the opening wicket inside eight overs which included 47 from the powerplay.
However, Jannatul Ferdus dismissed Hunter with Lewis, Leah Paul and Prendergast soon departing to leave the tourists on 70-4.
A 33-run partnership between Delany and Rebecca Stokell steadied the Ireland innings but Bangladesh looked favourites at the start of the final over with the tourists requiring 15 for victory.
However, Delany hit Shorna Akter for three straight boundaries to snatch victory as the Irish completed their white-ball tour with a clean sweep in the T20 series following Bangladesh’s triumph in the one-day games by the same margin.
Delany was thrilled to play her part in Ireland’s victory after missing the white-ball series against England in September following the ankle injury she sustained against Sri Lanka in August.
It’s just brilliant to be back in amongst the girls. I was injured there for a bit. It’s an amazing team to be part of,” said the former Ireland captain.
“I’m pretty delighted with how that last over went but more so delighted for the team. We played some really good cricket in this T20 series and to finish it off with a win today just shows everyone what we’re capable of.”
Ireland will be next in action when they travel to India in January for three one-day internationals.
