Leah Paul led Ireland to victory. Photo: Sportsfile
Leah Paul played one of the innings of her life in Sylhet as Ireland bounced back from a 3-0 loss in the ODI World Championship series to beat Bangladesh by 12 runs in the first of three T20 internationals.
Lefthander Paul, who is relishing her new role down the order, struck two sixes and 10 fours in a superb 79 not out from only 45 balls, while skipper Gaby Lewis also contributed a half century to help the Girls in Green to a challenging 169-5.
A sloppy performance in the field, with fumbles, catches dropped and a missed stumping, almost undid the good work, though, and it needed Orla Prendergast to deliver a double-wicket maiden penultimate over to secure the win.
“We know we’re strong in the T20 format and we wanted to show that and play positively after a disappointing ODI series,” Paul said.
The 25-year-old Merrion batter certainly did that, racing to her first T20i half-century from 28 balls as she added 107 for the third wicket with Lewis, a record for Ireland in the format.
Lewis matched Paul’s two maximums and hit seven fours herself before she was bowled for 60 from 42 balls.
“I love batting with Gaby,” Paul said. “There’s great communication between the two of us, and we have a bit of fun too.”
The home side had the target comfortably in hand before Prendergast (3-24) finally broke an opening stand of 103 at the end of the 12th and the innings then stuttered to 157-7 in the face of accurate overs from Arlene Kelly (3-22) and Aimie Maguire (1-24).
Lewis will be delighted with her first win since taking over the captaincy from Laura Delany but will demand a much sharper performance in the field on Saturday if Ireland are to clinch the series and avoid a decider on Monday.