Bangladesh Crush Ireland by an Innings in Sylhet Test
Dhaka: Bangladesh wrapped up a commanding victory over Ireland, securing an innings and 47-run win on the fourth day of the opening Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Ireland resumed the day on 86 for 5, still 215 runs short of forcing Bangladesh to bat again. Any hopes of a fightback quickly faded as the home side’s spinners maintained complete control. The visitors were eventually dismissed for 254 in the second session, handing Bangladesh a 1–0 lead in the two-match series.
Debutant left-arm spinner Hasan Murad starred once more, finishing with 4 for 60 in the second innings and a match haul of 6 for 107. His breakthroughs ensured Bangladesh remained firmly on top throughout.
Ireland’s brief resistance came from Andy McBrine, whose gritty 52 delayed the inevitable. He shared a 66-run stand with captain Andy Balbirnie before Murad trapped Balbirnie lbw for 38. Fast bowler Nahid Rana then removed McBrine shortly after lunch with a sharp short ball that produced a simple catch to Murad.
The Irish tail added some frustration for the hosts—Jordan Neill scored 36 and Barry McCarthy chipped in with 25—as they pushed the total beyond 250. Murad eventually ended Neill’s stay before Taijul Islam, who claimed 3 for 84, removed McCarthy to close the innings.
Earlier in the match, Ireland posted 286 in their first innings, thanks to half-centuries from Paul Stirling (60) and Cade Carmichael (59).
Bangladesh replied with a dominant batting display, piling up 587 for 8 declared. Mahmudul Hasan Joy produced a career-best 171, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto registered a fluent century. Shadman Islam (80) and Mominul Haque (82) also contributed, marking the first time in Bangladesh’s Test history that their top four batters all scored 80 or more.
The series now moves to Dhaka, where the second Test begins on November 19—a landmark match that will be Mushfiqur Rahim’s 100th Test, making him the first Bangladeshi cricketer to reach the milestone.
