Heartbreaking defeat for Ireland as Bangladesh claim a 2-0 series victory

Despite half-centuries from Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker Ireland fell agonisingly four runs short as Bangladesh prevailed in a topsy-turvy series finale

NARROW DEFEAT: Ireland's Mark Adair is congratulated after taking a wicket. Pic: Cricket Ireland

Despite half-centuries from Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker, along with a four-wicket haul from Mark Adair, Ireland fell agonisingly four runs short as Bangladesh prevailed in a topsy-turvy series finale at Chelmsford. A Mustafizur Rahman death bowling masterclass stopped Ireland in their tracks just as they looked to have a chase of 275 under their control.

On a gloomy morning at Chelmsford, Balbirnie won the toss and chose to bowl first. Ireland’s new ball pair of Josh Little and Adair were threatening from the outset. Adair had a close lbw shout off Rony Tadulkar turned down off his sixth ball shortly before Little, who took a little longer than Adair to find his radar, extracted an edge from the bat of Tamim Iqbal only to see Balbirnie shell the chance at slip.