Laura Delany’s late heroics help Ireland secure T20 clean sweep over Bangladesh

Delany struck three consecutive fours in final over to help the tourists over the line with a ball to spare

Laura Delany led Ireland home to complete a 3-0 T20 series win over Bangladesh in Sylhet. Photograph: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Laura Delany led Ireland home to complete a 3-0 T20 series win over Bangladesh in Sylhet. Photograph: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Last-over heroics by Laura Delany helped Ireland edge past Bangladesh by four wickets to secure a clean sweep in their three-match T20 international series.

Orla Prendergast claimed four for 22 to help pull the hosts back in Sylhet and set Ireland 124 for victory, but they slumped to 110 for six in reply.

Number five Delany kept her cool, however, and struck three consecutive fours off Shorna Akter’s final over to help the tourists over the line with a ball to spare.

After Ireland captain Gaby Lewis won the toss and elected to field, Bangladesh responded with a strong start that was helped by Sobhana Mostary, who produced the top score in the match with 45.

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Mostary shared a 71-run stand for the second wicket with Sharmin Akhter, but she departed for 34 at the expense of Aimee Maguire and Prendergast’s four for 22 restricted the hosts to 123 for seven.

Amy Hunter (28) and captain Lewis (21) put on 55 for the first wicket before Delany – who finished with 36 not out – took centre stage after an Irish middle-order collapse with a crucial 31-ball innings to help them register a 3-0 T20 series victory.