Litton Das stars in Bangladesh's series-levelling win

A crucial half-century in the run chase from skipper Litton Das helped Bangladesh win the second T20I and claw back in the series. Chasing 171 for victory, Bangladesh were coasting at one stage with Litton looking in great touch. His wicket gave Ireland an opening to claw back, but the home side held their nerve and completed their third-highest successful T20I chase with two balls to spare.

Opting to bat, Ireland got off to a flier with Tim Tector and Paul Stirling scoring 27 from the first two overs. Stirling then took on Mohammad Saifuddin for 16 in his opening over before departing. Tim continued to make merry as Ireland scored 75 in the powerplay to set the tone. From thereon, 200 should have been the target for the visitors, but Bangladesh managed to stage a fightback.

Mahedi Hasan bagged the crucial wicket of Tim and then removed Harry Tector in the same over to peg back the opposition. He struck again in his final over to finish with excellent figures of 3/25 and reduce Ireland to 103/4. That enabled Bangladesh to slip in some quiet overs as Ireland struggled for momentum. Eventually, they could only finish with 170 on the board following Lorcan Tucker's 41.

In reply, Bangladesh also got off to a positive start with Parvez Hossain taking charge. Tanzid Hasan couldn't get going, but Litton and Parvez combined to smash 18 in the final over of the powerplay to power the hosts to 66/1 by the end of the sixth over. Parvez finally fell to a reverse sweep at the halfway mark, and if not for a stroke of luck, Bangladesh could have lost Litton too in the following over when Gareth Delaney caught the skipper near the boundary only for the towel tucked behind to flick the cushion.

Adding to their frustration, Litton hit Delaney for a boundary in the very next over, followed by Saif Hassan clearing the ropes straight down the ground. Litton then nailed the slogsweep for another six to bring up his fifty, and at this point, Bangladesh were firm favourites needing just 42 from the final five overs. However, with both set batters departing in the space of four deliveries, Ireland's hopes received a big boost. Ireland appeared to be in with a real chance when a run out pegged Bangladesh back further, but Saifuddin smacked a couple of fours and a six to calm down the nerves as Bangladesh got the job done in nervy fashion in the final over.

Brief scores: Ireland 170/6 in 20 overs (Lorcan Tucker 41, Tim Tector 38; Mahedi Hasan 3/25) lost to Bangladesh 174/6 in 19.4 overs (Litton Das 57, Parvez Hossain 43; Gareth Delaney 2/28) by 4 wickets.