Ireland Women's have beaten Bangladesh Women's by 12 runs to kick off the T20I series on Thursday (December 5). Skipper Gaby Lewis' 60 off 42 and middle order batter Leah Paul's superb 79* off only 45 deliveries helped the visitors get to 169 on the board. In reply, Arlene Kelly and Orla Prendergast's three wickets each helped them clinch a narrow 12-run victory over Bangladesh.

Opting to bat first, Ireland lost their wicketkeeper opener Amy Hunter cheaply. No. 3 batter Orla Prendergast too couldn’t make runs as she fell on 11 off 15 balls. And then skipper Gaby Lewis stitched partnership with Leah Paul. The duo stitching up the innings together and kept steering Ireland.

Both of them added a massive 107 runs together to uplift Ireland with the bat. Fariha Trisna knocked over Gaby Lewis after he 60 off 42 balls but Leah Paul was there till the end of the innings and she blasted a swashbuckling 79* off 45 balls to help her side get to a competitive 169 on the board.

In reply, Bangladesh started off to a flier. Openers Dilara Akter and Sobhana Mostary both combined together for a massive 103-run opening stand, inside just 12 overs, left Bangladesh women's needing only 67 runs off 8 overs.

After the departure of the openers, Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Sharmin Akhter was there as she made an unbeaten 23* off 13 balls but Bangladesh fell short of 12 runs.