Bangladesh crushed Ireland by an innings and 47 runs in the first test of the two-match series inside four days at Sylhet. Ireland got a good start in the first innings, with Paul Stirling and Cade Carmichael showing solid temperament. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud impressed with their bowling early on. Then came the storm of Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Bangladesh declared their first innings at 587/8, taking a lead of 301 runs. Hasan Murad (4/60 in 14 overs) and Taijul Islam (3/84 in 23.2 overs) wreaked havoc on the Irish batting lineup, and Ireland eventually fell 47 runs short in the second innings, losing the match.
Ireland Delay Defeat but Can’t Escape
Ireland stretched the game until 45 minutes after lunch on the fourth day. They showed some resistance even after losing half their side the previous evening. Andy McBrine led the fight. He scored a patient fifty and added 66 runs for the seventh wicket with Andy Balbirnie, who batted at No. 8 because of a finger injury.
Bangladesh broke the partnership quickly after lunch. Nahid Rana struck with the second ball of the session. He bowled a short delivery that McBrine tried to pull, but the ball went straight to Murad at midwicket. McBrine walked off for 52 after hitting five boundaries in his 106-ball effort.
Barry McCarthy and Jordan Neill added some late resistance with a 54-run stand for the ninth wicket. Neill scored 36 with seven fours. McCarthy, the last man out, hit one six and two fours in his 25.
Ireland Survive Morning Session with DRS
The morning session was filled with reviews. Most of them went in Ireland’s favour. Matthew Humphreys overturned a decision in the very first over, but Taijul Islam dismissed him soon after with a top edge that was caught at backward square leg.
McBrine escaped twice in the same over against Mehidy Hasan Miraz, surviving both decisions by narrow margins. Balbirnie also had some luck, but Murad ended his stay by trapping him lbw for 38. The umpire’s call showed the ball clipping the leg stump.
McBrine reached his fifty just before lunch, giving Ireland a strong session.
Ireland Collapse After Huge Deficit
Ireland started their second innings 301 runs behind. They lost five wickets on the third afternoon, despite Paul Stirling’s gritty 43 that included seven boundaries. His run-out after a moment of hesitation pushed Ireland deeper into trouble. Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker fell lbw to Taijul and Murad. Curtis Campher’s innings ended with a sharp catch by Shadman Islam at cover. Ireland were left with an impossible task on the final day.