BAN vs IRE 2nd T20I: Towel controversy saves Litton Das as Bangladesh steal last-over victory against Ireland

Towel Slip costs Ireland a stunning catch as Litton Das snatches bizarre six in last-over thriller. (Photo: X)

Chattogram’s​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium produced a nail-biting thriller between Bangladesh and Irealand in the second T20I of the 3-match series. Thanks primarily to an explosive half-century by captain Litton Das, Bangladesh came from behind to level the series on Saturday (November 29).

Chasing 171 runs against Ireland, Das went on a rampage scoring 57 off 37 balls with the help of three fours and three sixes to lead his side to a four-wicket victory with only two balls to spare.

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Interestingly, a large portion of Das’ match-winning knock was dependent on a huge fluke early in the game. During the 11th over of Bangladesh’s reply, Ireland thought they had a double strike in five balls when Gareth Delany brought off a brilliant catch at deep mid-wicket.

At that time, Das was on 34 from 24 balls, and Bangladesh had scored 94 for 2 — a moment that could have easily turned the game, if not for an unexpected factor: a towel. While facing a short ball from Joshua Little, Das tried to execute a pull shot over mid-wicket.

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Delany, who was on the boundary, followed the ball very well and intercepted it single-handedly while moving backward. Noticing he was near the ropes and losing his balance, he quickly threw the ball up in the air. After falling and getting his balance, he moved forward again to complete what seemed like an extremely good relay catch.

However, on further investigation, there was another side to this story. The TV umpire saw that the towel that was tucked behind Delany and had been in contact with the boundary cushion while he was taking the catch, meant that the fielder had touched the boundary. The towel as a part of the fielder’s gear, implies that the point of contact was considered the boundary thereby disallowing the catch and changing the moment into a six instead of a wicket.

The series decider game will be played on Tuesday at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.