The Ireland Wolves fell to a four-wicket defeat against Bangladesh A in the first of three T20s in Clontarf on Monday, despite Simi Singh’s 41 and Andrew McBrine’s 3-23.
Stuart Thompson got the Wolves’ innings off to a positive start with 28 off 19 balls. When he fell just after the powerplay finished however, the Wolves were 52/3 and looking to rebuild.
Singh provided the impetus required, with his 41 off 37 deliveries anchoring the innings. His two maximums were supplemented by similar sixes from Kevin O’Brien (21 off 12) and McBrine (15 off 14).
The Wolves were losing wickets but continued to go at eight runs an over to be 145/6 with two overs remaining. When Singh departed finding the sweeper on the cover boundary, it signalled a collapse whereby the Wolves made 7 for 4 in the last 12 deliveries and were all out for 152 off their 20 overs.
Andy McBrine got the defence off to a perfect start bowling Zakir Hasan first ball. Incoming T20 captain, Soumya Sarkar (57 off 41, 5x4 3x6), steadied the Bangladesh ship, putting on 62 with Nozmul Hossain (38) in less than eight overs for the second wicket.
McBrine was brought back into the attack and took wickets in his final two overs to finish with his fantastic figures which had Bangladesh A 118/4. Simi Singh finished a remarkably economical spell at the same time, his four overs costing just 12 runs.
Unfortunately for the Ireland Wolves, once this pair were seen off, Bangladesh A and Afif Hossain (35 off 21) in particular, were able to steer the visitors comfortably towards their target.
Despite Peter Chase (2-29) taking his second wicket Saif Uddin struck the winning runs with the final ball of the 18th over to give Bangladesh A a 1-0 series lead with two matches remaining.
The sides meet again for Game 2 in Clontarf on Wednesday at 4pm.
Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, T20 Series Game 1 of 3, Monday August 13th
At Clontarf CC
Ireland Wolves 152 20 Overs (S Singh 41, S Thompson 28; S Uddin 2-21)
Bangladesh A 155/6 18 Overs (S Sarkar 57, N Hossain 38; A McBrine 3-23, P Chase 2-29)
Bangladesh A win by 4 wickets
Bangladesh A lead series 1-0 with two games remaining