Tasekan's performance helped Bangladesh win the against Ireland

CHITTAGONG: Taskin Ahmed demanded three wickets in an over as Bangladesh reserved their cool to beat Ireland by 22 runs in a rain-affected first Twenty20 international in Chittagong on Monday.

Bangladesh dispatched 207-5 in 19.2 overs before rain ended their innings, hesitant the game for more than an hour and forcing match officials to set Ireland a revised target of 104 runs in eight overs.

Ireland finished with 81-5 despite making a flying start to their run chase with 18 runs in the first over.

Ireland’s stand-in captain Paul Stirling said, “(The pitch) looked tricky at some points, but got flatter and flatter. Disappointing to still come out on the wrong side.” 

Ireland was eager to put the brakes on Bangladesh’s scoring spree once Graham Hume bowled Rony, who smacked seven fours and three sixes in his maiden T20I fifty.

Shamim Hossain’s 20-ball 30 and Shakib Al Hasan’s 20, not out20-not-out-off helped Bangladesh race past the 200-run mark before rain brought a premature end.

The game was Bangladesh’s first T20I at home against Ireland, who have rested regular skipper Andrew Balbirnie for the three-match series.

The second match is scheduled at the same ground on Wednesday. The teams will meet for a one-off Test in early April.