BANGLADESH got the better of Ireland by six wickets on Sunday in their opening warm-up match ahead of the Women’s World T20.

Bangladesh reached their 84-run target with 32 balls in hand at the Guyana National Stadium.

Pacer Jahanara Alam gave Bangladesh the first breakthrough after winning the toss and choosing to field. Salma Khatun could do little with the ball, but spinners Rumana Ahmed and Khadija Tul Kubra kept up the pressure. By the ninth over, Ireland were 26/5.

But Kim Garth’s performance with the bat and ball helped her team to play the full 20 overs. She scored 35 runs before she was bowled by Bangladeshi pacer, Jahanara.

Jahanara ended with two wickets but the Irish were most susceptible to Rumana’s leg spin. She picked up three wickets for 10 runs. Off-spinner Kubra took one wicket for 13 runs.

Bangladesh’s openers got them off to a great start, scoring 37 runs from the first six overs with Ayasha Rahman scoring most of the runs.

Her partner, Shamima Sultana scored nine before she was dismissed. But Garth’s superb bowling saw Ireland claim four wickets in just seven balls to reduce Bangladesh to 38-4.

But the partnership of Sanjida Islam and Farzana Hoque, each of whom scored in the twenties, brought the game home for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh will play another warm-up match against Pakistan today.