Visitors Ireland have bounced back from their One-Day International (ODI) series whitewash to Bangladesh with a promising win in the 3-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series opener. The first of two deciders, the second T20I, is scheduled for the 7th of December 2024, at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet, at 1:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Bangladesh women’s cricket teams
Nigar Sultana Joty (C, WK), Nahida Akter (VC), Murshida Khatun, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam Trisna, Jahanara Alam, Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, Taj Nehar, Shanjida Akhter Maghla
Ireland women’s cricket team
Gaby Lewis (C), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Una Raymond-Hoey, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell
Players to watch out:
Dilara Akter
The 20-year-old keeper-batter, from 19 T20I outings, has accumulated 257 runs at a strike rate of 100.39 and registered the highest score of 49. Dilara managed a few notable starts in her recent T20I outings—33, 17, and 19—building on which she scored a mature 41-ball 49 in her most recent outing. The team will count on her to follow up with another good score, leading the scoring for the side.
Nahida Akter
The 24-year-old left-arm off-spinner, from 91 T20I outings, has picked up 104 wickets at an economy rate of 5.75 and recorded the best of 5/8, while also being handy with the bat, adding 141 runs from 37 innings. Impactful as ever, Nahida picked up 6 wickets from 3 ODIs in this series, and in the T20I opener returned figures of 1/20 (4). She is a seasoned spinner and can be counted on for breakthroughs.
Leah Paul
The 25-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, from 32 outings has struck 24 wickets at an economy rate of 6.09, and from 27 innings has added 348 runs, with the highest score of 79*. Leah has been among the runs lately in international cricket, and in her previous two T20I outings, including this series opener, registered scores of 27* and 79*. She is a promising talent and can be relied upon for the runs.
Arlene Kelly
The 28-year-old all-rounder, from 43 T20I outings, has bagged 59 wickets, including the best of 5/12, maintaining an economy rate of 6.08, while also posting 127 runs from 19 T20I innings. Though Arlene didn’t find much success in the recent ODI series, she continued her effective bowling form in the T20Is, returning figures of 3/22 (4) in the series opener. She will be backed upon for the goods.
Pitch:
The Sylhet International Cricket Stadium presents a fairly balanced center wicket that offers runs for batters and a good amount of assistance for bowlers as well. The average score at the venue is in the 120s, and spinners have the upper hand on this track.
Weather:
With bright, sunny skies overhead, we are in for a complete game in Sylhet. The temperature is expected to hover around 26°C, with light winds and a humidity level of 69%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Amy Hunter, Dilara Akter, Gaby Lewis, Leah Paul, Laura Delany, Orla Prendergast, Arlene Kelly, Jahanara Alam, Nahida Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Jannatul Ferdus Sumona
Match details:
Date – December 7, 2024
Time – 1:30 PM IST
Venue – Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
Broadcast – The game will be live streamed on Bangladesh Cricket Board YouTube channel.
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