Bangladesh held their nerve for a last-over finish to defeat Ireland by four wickets in the second T20I at Chattogram on November 29. Chasing 171, the hosts survived a late collapse before Mohammad Saifuddin and Mahedi Hasan delivered a clinical finish to level the three-match series 1-1. The victory also ended Bangladesh’s four-match losing streak in T20Is.

Coming into the second game with the series on the line, the hosts were under pressure to bounce back after Ireland stunned them in the opening T20I. The visitors won the toss and opted to bat first again.

Ireland got off to a solid start, thanks largely to skipper Paul Stirling’s 29 off 14 balls. He hit three fours and two sixes, helping the team race to 57 inside five overs. Tim Tector continued with a 38 off 25, while Lorcan Tucker anchored the innings with a 41 off 32. At 103/4 in the 11th over, the Irish still looked set for a 190-plus total, but Bangladesh pulled things back through Mahedi Hasan’s spell.

Mahedi was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3 for 25, dismissing Tim Tector, Harry Tector, and Ben Calitz. Bangladesh’s bowlers leaked a few runs at the death, allowing Ireland to reach 170/6.

In reply, Bangladesh had a start which they required, courtesy of Parvez Hossain Emon and Litton Das. Attacking the opposition's best bowler from the previous match, the left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys, the duo hit a six and four in the opening over. Bangladesh reached 66/1 at the end of the powerplay, their best start in recent T20Is.

Emon made 43 off 28 before falling in the 10th over. From there, Das brought up his 50 off 34 balls. The hosts slipped from 138/2 to 149/5, with Litton, Saif Hassan, and Towhid Hridoy falling in quick succession.

With 22 needed off 14, Saifuddin walked in and mistimed a pull on his first ball fell short of Josh Little, and he capitalised on the luck, smashing a six and four off Mark Adair in the penultimate over. His 17 off 7 balls changed the chase. Needing just three off the final over, Mahedi Hasan sealed the contest with a drive through extra cover for four, completing the chase with two balls to spare.