Ireland posted a competitive 181 for four in the opening T20I in Chattogram on Wednesday night, leaving Bangladesh with a demanding chase after choosing to field first.

Ireland’s innings was anchored by Harry Tector, who held the middle overs together with an unbeaten 69 off 45 balls.

He struck one four and cleared the rope five times, accelerating late to lift the visitors past 180 on a surface that offered true pace and bounce.

The visitors set the tone early despite losing captain Paul Stirling for 21, caught at mid-off in the fifth over off Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Tim Tector kept the tempo high with a brisk 32 from 19 balls before falling to Rishad Hossain, leaving Ireland well placed at 71 for two.

Lorcan Tucker chipped in with 18, but it was Curtis Campher’s lively 24 off 17—featuring a six over midwicket—that helped Ireland steady after a brief slowdown. He eventually miscued Sakib to deep square leg in the 18th over.

George Dockrell added late impetus with an unbeaten 12 off seven balls, ensuring Ireland finished strongly by taking 54 runs off the final five overs.

Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled for consistency except Mustafizur Rahman, who conceded only 23 runs in his four overs. Sakib picked up two wickets but went for 41, while Shoriful Islam and Rishad Hossain claimed one each.

Bangladesh won the toss in this match and opted to bowl first.

This series came as a chance for Bangladesh to tune-up their T20I set-up ahead of the World Cup next year.