DHAKA – Despite scoring their highest ever score in T20I cricket, the Bangladesh women’s team went down a six-wicket defeat to host Ireland in the third and final match of the three-match T20I series held on Sunday night at the Malahide Cricket Club Ground in Dublin.

Bangladesh’s previous highest score was 142, which they achieved while chasing down India’s 141 in a Women’s T20 Asia Cup league game earlier this month.

Chasing a challenging target of 152 set by Bangladesh Ireland reached home off the final ball of the game as Isobel Joyce struck the winning shot after the last over from Jahanara Alam started with the home side needing 11.

Ireland were initially in a spot of bother in the chase as they lost both openers at 30 inside seven overs.

But skipper Laura Delany and Gaby Lewis changed the course as they added 93 runs for the third wicket to take Ireland closer to the victory.

Nahida Akter and Panna Ghosh took a wicket each for the bowling side.

Earlier, Bangladesh made a auspicious start riding on opener Ayasha Rahman and Shamima Sultana after they were forced to bat first by the host, adding 47 runs for the opening stand.

But it was Fargana Hoque who took charge and went on to reach her second T20I fifty and remained unbeaten on a career-best 66 off 47 balls, including six fours and two sixes, to help post a challenging total of 151 for four.

Bangladesh had however earlier clinched the series by winning the first two matches.

Brief score:

Bangladesh – 151 for 4 in 20 overs, Fargana 66 n.o, Shamima 30, Ayesha 27, Delaney 1/19 Richardson 1/31, Metcalfe 1/32

Ireland- 152 for 4 in 20 overs. Shillington 21, Gaby Lewis 50, Delany 46, I Joyce 22. Nahida Ahter 1/20, Panna Ghosh 1/29