Bangladesh’s bowling unit ended the year exactly as they spent it — dominant, disciplined, and collectively ruthless. In the T20I series decider against Ireland at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Motiur Rahman Stadium on Tuesday, they delivered yet another performance that captured the transformation of the Tigers’ attack.

Ireland blasted 51 for two in the powerplay, hinting at a threatening total. What followed, however, was the script Bangladesh have perfected over the past two years: a middle-overs squeeze built on Rishad Hossain’s attacking leg-spin, supported by well-disguised variations from the seamers. Ireland added only 66 more runs, bowled out for 117 in 19.5 overs — far below par.

That performance capped a historic year in which Bangladesh broke the all-time T20I record for most wickets in a calendar year — surpassing the mark they themselves set in 2024. Across 30 matches in 2025, Bangladesh’s bowlers claimed 188 wickets at an average of 23.00, a strike rate of 17.8, and an economy of 7.84 — elite numbers in the shortest format.

Rishad finished as the year’s leading wicket-taker. The 23-year-old’s rise gives Bangladesh a weapon they long lacked: a genuine, attacking leg-spinner. His 33 wickets in 25 matches came at a blistering strike rate of 16 balls per wicket.

Mustafizur Rahman maintained his mastery of cutters and death overs, taking 26 wickets in 20 games at an excellent 6.09 economy. Taskin Ahmed, despite missing matches through injury and rotation, was devastating when fit — his 24 wickets in 13 matches coming at a strike rate of 12.3, a figure worthy of any world-class attack.

Shak Mahedi Hasan delivered consistent middle-overs control with 22 wickets at 7.32 economy, while Tanzim Hasan Sakib continued his rise with 23 wickets in 22 matches, adding a skiddy, fearless option to the seam group.

Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed made an impact after returning mid-year, collecting 15 wickets in 13 matches at a superb 6.62 economy, often bowling high-pressure powerplay overs.

This shared dominance has reshaped Bangladesh’s bowling identity. No longer reliant on a single spearhead, the Tigers now possess depth, variety, and interchangeable match-winners. Even in this series, after losing the opener to Ireland, Bangladesh responded with a Mahedi-inspired fightback before Rishad’s three-wicket burst completed the turnaround.

With the 2026 T20 World Cup approaching, debates about Bangladesh’s batting persist — but their bowling stands as a proven, repeatable strength. Opponents may start brightly, but more often than not, it is Bangladesh’s bowlers who dictate the ending.

In Chattogram, their final performance of the year felt like a signature: early fireworks from the opposition, followed by Bangladesh applying the choke — and finishing the job.