Bangladesh secured victory over Ireland with just two balls to spare in the second T20I between the sides at Chattogram on Saturday.

After Ireland made 170-6 off their 20 overs, Bangladesh replied with 174-6 off 19.4 overs to level the series at 1-1 ahead of the deciding contest between the sides in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Ireland won the first match between the sides convincingly by 39 runs on Thursday.

Irish openers Paul Stirling (29) and Tim Tector (38) put on 57 for the first wicket, before the former was dismissed in the fifth over after an innings which included two sixes and three fours off just 14 balls.

Tim Tector’s wicket fell in the ninth over to leave the score 88-2, then brother Harry Tector (11) followed after a solitary additional run had been added to the tourists’ total.

Ben Calitz (7) was next to go, but a fifth-wicket partnership of 56 between George Dockrell (18) and Lorcan Ticker, who top-scored with 41, got Ireland back on track.

Sjak Mahedi Hasan was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with figures of 3-25.

The early loss of Tanzid Hasan Tamin for seven did not deter the Bangladeshi response as Parvez Hossain Emon made 43 and captain Litton Kumer Das 57 to put the home side in a strong position.

Bangladesh sat 138-3 after 15 overs after those two had departed but the wickets of Saif Hassan (22), Tawhid Hridoy (6) and Nurul Hasan Sohan (5) fell in quick succession to put their side under pressure.

Ultimately Mohammad Saifuddin (17) and Mahedi (6) saw their team over the line as the unbeaten batters.

Mark Adair and Gareth Delany took two wickets apiece for Ireland.