Tentative Ireland wilt under pressure

Lacklustre approach and baffling selections give Bangladesh a comfortable win

Going into Saturday’s encounter against Bangladesh, Ireland knew a win would practically ensure qualification for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.

On the field however they looked like a side trying not to lose rather than one giving everything to chase victory. Bangladesh walked away with a 9 run win, a margin that looks closer than the game actually was given a flurry of boundaries after the result was already sealed.

The Tigers got themselves to 153/7 batting first thanks to some generous Irish ground fielding and a 19 run final over courtesy of Sobhana Mostary’s straight hitting. Ireland took wickets consistently in the back end but Bangladesh kept charging to get themselves to a defendable total.

Chasing nearly 8 an over would not be easier but Ireland’s plans only made it more difficult. They surrendered half the powerplay to Marufa Akter, who conceded only 7 runs off the bat in three overs of fielding restrictions, with another 3 runs coming through wides.

Good balls were gently pushed back or defended as it became clear that Lewis and Hunter’s only intention against Bangladesh’s star quick was avoiding being dismissed. The tactic can work chasing lower totals but here it was a serious misstep. At the end of the powerplay Ireland were 43/0 and still behind the run rate, a sure sign that a T20 chase is going badly.

Shortly after that, Amy Hunter was forced to retire hurt, a hamstring strain has been keeping her out of the side and it flared up once again. At that point the required rate was still hovering around 8. What transpired next was a stall-out even the men’s team would be proud of.

Prendergast hit an early boundary before her and Lewis engaged in a middle overs gentle tap-around. The all-rounder was dismissed for 12(12) shortly after, Leah Paul was then was stumped second ball.

Former captain Laura Delany strode to the crease and proceeded to to block out four balls to end the 12th over. In the space of four overs, Ireland had lost two wickets for 14 runs. The required rate had shot up from 8 to 10.25.

Lewis tried her best to get the team back on target with six boundaries from the next four overs but Delany’s inability to do much other than nudge the ball and hope for a single killed the chase. By the time she was finally run out for 13(18) her team needed 36 off 15 and the game was gone.

As long as Ireland make their way through the Super Six stage and achieve World Cup qualification then this defeat need be nothing more than a sharp lesson in how T20s cannot be won with conservatism and keeping wickets in the shed.

You cannot nudge your way to 160 with a slow outfield and you cannot surrender the best time for scoring just because a bowler is talented. You especially cannot fall short while still having 6 wickets remaining.

The lack of intent points to a distrust of the batting lineup. Ireland have gone through this tournament heavy on bowling and paper thin on batting with Arlene Kelly scheduled to come in at 7, at least one position too high for comfort.

The two spinners, Aimee Maguire and Lara McBride bowled five overs between them and neither can contribute much with the bat. Alana Dalzell has now failed to bowl her full set in two consecutive games, another specialist bowler.

The balance of this team is all over the shop and has been ever since Lloyd Tenant took over, it is an impressive feat given that Ireland boast one of the most complete all-rounders in the women’s game in Prendergast.

It is perhaps understandable then the batters look incapable of playing without fear of getting out, given the bare-bones lineup behind them. With Hunter potentially out again with injury the problem will only compound further for the rest of the tournament.

But when that World Cup hopefully comes around and Ireland are facing the likes of an Australia or India, the only way to compete in those games will be to go hard and transfer pressure to the opposition. It is time for this team to step up and be brave. It is time to remember that you play to win, not to avoid losing.

You can read more from Gary Murphy on his substack: https://carnivalcricket.substack.com/p/tentative-ireland-wilt-under-pressure