Women's ODI Series, Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka
Ireland 193-6 (20 overs): Hunter 68, Prendergast 37, Delany 33; Sultana 2-32
Bangladesh 197-5 (43.5 overs): Pinky 50, Akter 43, Joty 40; Delany 2-43
Bangladesh won by five wickets
Player of The Match: Nigar Sultana Joty (Bangladesh)
Bangladesh women's team clinched a winning 2-0 lead in the one-day series against Ireland in Mirpur as they chased down their target of 193-6 with five wickets and 6.1 overs to spare.
Amy Hunter top-scored with Ireland for 68 but the run-outs of Orla Prendergast (37) and Laura Delany (33) by Rabeya Khan proved crucial as the visitors' tally was below par.
Despite the early loss of Murshida Khatun, Fargana Hoque Pinky's 50 helped the hosts reach 100-1 by the 28th over.
Hoque Pinky's dismissal by Delany was quickly followed by Sharmin Akter's departure for 43 off a Ava Canning delivery but Nigar Sultana Joty's 40 and Shorna Akter's unbeaten 29 helped the Tigresses comfortably reach the target.
The 35th over proved expensive for Ireland in their innings with Prendergast's run-out followed four balls later by Hunter being trapped by Akter which left the tourists on 127-4 after the Irish duo had put on 91 runs for the third wicket.
Despite the concession of just two further wickets, Ireland only managed to add 66 runs in the remaining 15.1 overs.
Delany took two Bangladesh wickets as she finished with figures of 2-43 from her 6.5 overs with other wicket-takers Prendergast, Canning and Arlene Kelly all bowling tidily but ultimately Ireland's runs tally wasn't sufficient to defend.
The sides will be back in action in the concluding one-day game in Mirpur on Monday before a three-match Twenty20 series begins in Sylhet on Thursday.
Bangladesh though confirmed the series after winning this match, they must win the third final ODI against Ireland and all three matches against West Indies in their next series for a direct qualification to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup to be held in India next year.
