Ireland women aim to rebound after heartwarming 'Dhaka Welcome'

The Ireland Women’s cricket team is keen to bounce back as they continue their tour of Bangladesh for a three-match ODI and T20 series.

On Thursday evening, the players took a break from the competitive grind to attend a reception hosted by Masud Jamil Khan, the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Bangladesh, at his residence in Dhaka.

The reception, which also welcomed the Bangladesh Women’s cricket team, was a relaxed affair with players from both sides mingling, sharing stories, and enjoying the camaraderie.

Bangladesh, which won the first ODI earlier this week, spent the evening unwinding and celebrating the game’s spirit.

Masud Jamil Khan, in his remarks, shared his excitement at hosting the Irish team. “It has been my dream to welcome the Ireland cricket team to my home,” he said.

He also expressed his pleasure in hosting the Bangladesh team, noting the growing bond between the two nations through cricket.

Enayetullah Khan, the Chief Editor of UNB, also greeted the teams and spoke of his childhood dream of becoming a Test cricketer.

Though the dream did not materialise, he shared his deep admiration for cricket and wished both teams success.

Enayetullah Khan's family members, including UNB Executive Editor Nahar Khan, were also present at the reception, adding a personal touch to the evening.

The players arrived at the venue in the evening and were soon seen chatting and exchanging ideas.

Jahanara Alam, Bangladesh’s star pacer, was spotted in a lively conversation with Ireland’s captain, Gaby Lewis, as others enjoyed the food and light-hearted conversations.

Nigar Sultana Jyoti, Bangladesh’s captain, appeared relaxed with her teammates, including Sharmin Akhter, whose match-winning 96 in the first ODI helped secure a dominant victory for the hosts in the series opener.

“It’s been an amazing experience so far,” Beth Healy, the manager of the Ireland Women’s team, told UNB. “The hospitality and security arrangement has been exceptional, and connecting with the Bangladesh team off the field has been wonderful.”

In an exclusive conversation, Gaby reflected on the challenges of playing in sub-continental conditions.

“We knew coming here would mean dealing with alien conditions,” she said. “The pitches are spin-heavy, and it’s something we’re still adapting to. But every game in this championship matters, and we’re determined to improve in the remaining matches.”

Gaby, leading the Irish side as captain for the first time, said the learning curve of captaincy but expressed her hope about the young squad.

“It’s a privilege to lead this group. We have several players also preparing for the Under-19 World Cup, so it’s about growing the game and learning from each match,” she added.

Beth also emphasised the importance of balancing cricket and education for the players.

“Half of our squad is on educational contracts, which allows them to focus on their studies while also playing cricket. It’s a model that works well for us,” she said.

She appreciated the strong ties between Cricket Ireland and the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and noted that the security arrangement and other facilities are excellent in Bangladesh.

As women’s cricket gains momentum globally, Gaby sees franchise T20 leagues as a crucial step forward.

Players of the Bangladesh team have also long called for a women's version of BPL.

“A women’s BPL would be brilliant,” she said. “We have seen the success of tournaments like the WPL and The Hundred, and if you see the men's tournaments happening around the world, if you can match that with the women, it will be brilliant.”

For now, Ireland remains focused on the ongoing series.

“We’re looking to bounce back and finish strong,” Gaby said. Both teams are gearing up to prove their mettle with two ODIs and three T20s still to play.