Ahead of the T20I series between hosts Bangladesh and Ireland, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) organized a unique unveiling of the trophy with captains Nigar Sultana Joty and Gaby Lewis dressed as traditional tea pickers at the Malnichhara Tea Estate in Sylhet. Fans can watch the video of the T20I series trophy unveiling below.
Both the captains wore local attire at Malnichhara Tea Estate plucking tea leaves from the plantations before revealing the trophy ahead of the three-match T20I series. Nigar Sultana thanked ‘Senora’ for the unique initiative while the Irish skipper had High praises describing it as ‘Embracing the culture’.
The unique trophy reveal also grabbed the attention of the fans who reacted and acknowledged it on the social media platform ‘X’ formerly known as Twitter.
The Irish side is currently on a tour to Bangladesh for a limited over-series. The series began with a three-match ODI series at Mirpur. The host Bangladesh was dominant throughout the series in all departments. In the ODI series opener, the hosts defended 253 after Ireland were bowled out for 98 which resulted in a commanding 154-run victory for the hosts. Bangladesh was clinical in the second ODI as they chased down a tricky total of 194 with five wickets in hand to secure the series and chased down 186 in the final ODI with ease to complete a whitewash.
Now the focus shifts towards the T20I leg with the T20I series commencing today. The three-match T20I series will be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, with the first and second T2OI scheduled for the 5th & 7th of December respectively at 1.30 pm (IST), and the final T20I will be played on 9th December at 9.30 am (IST).
Bangladesh heads into the T20I series after a disappointing performance in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup where they managed to win only one game out of the four games played. Meanwhile, Ireland enters the series on a positive note, having delivered an impressive performance in their last T20I series at home, against England, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Head-to-head, both the sides have played a total of 12 games so far with Bangladesh having a superior record with 8 wins while Ireland has three victories to their name. Their last outing was in the ICC Women’s T20 Qualifier final where Bangladesh registered a marginal 7-run victory defending a total of 121.
Though Bangladesh enters the three-match T20I series with a slight advantage, this Ireland team, led by their newly appointed skipper Gaby Lewis, will look to change their fortunes this time around, having shown glimpses of their potential in their recent outings.
Ireland Women T20I Squad:
Gaby Lewis (C), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Una Raymond-Hoey, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell
Bangladesh Squad (1st and 2nd T20I):
Nigar Sultana Joty (C, WK), Nahida Akter (VC), Murshida Khatun, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam Trisna, Jahanara Alam, Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, Taj Nehar, Shanjida Akhter Maghla
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