Bangladesh registered its first win at home since
2020 after overcoming a spirited Ireland side to win the one-off Test by
seven wickets at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
Since its landmark victory in New Zealand early in 2022, Bangladesh in fact
lost eight tests and drew one before coming back to winning way in the longer
version finally.
But the victory didn't come at as easy as it was expected given the lack of
experience of the Irish side in this format. Playing its only fourth Test and
first since 2019, Ireland fielded six debutants in this match but they fought
admirably to put pressure on Bangladesh.
The victory which is expected to come on day three, finally came at post
lunch session of day four as Ireland put a stubborn resistance to delay the
inevitable.
Mushfiqur Rahim who hit 126 in the first innings, led the charge with an
unbeaten 51 off 48 that studded with seven fours as Bangladesh chased down
138-run target effortlessly.
Liton Das gave Bangladesh a fluent start, hitting 23 off 19 that included
three fours and one six. However, he was bowled by pacer Mark Adair.
Offspinner Andy McBrine who registered best bowling figure by an Irish bowler
with 6-118 in the first innings, had Najmul Hossain Shanto caught by skipper
Andrew Balbirnie for 4, giving the side a ray of hope with Bangladesh at 43-
2.
Mushfiqur and Tamim with sustained aggression tamed the Ireland bowlers to
bring Bangladesh to the closer.
Legspinner Ben White broke the partnership when Tamim was caught by Murray
Commins for 31 at mid-on after trying to pull an ordinary delivery.
Mushfiqur and Mominul Haque then played with serenity but fluently to help
the side reach victory mark with ease with the former hitting winning single.
Mominul who hit one four and one six was 20 not out.
Earlier, the Tigers took 36 minutes to wrap up Irish second innings for 292
after the visitors resumed 286-6, expecting to bring more nightmare for
Bangladesh.
Pacer Ebadot Hossain rattled the stump of McBrine in the fifth over of the
day after he added just one run to his overnight 71 to be out on his career-
best 72.
Ebadot then dismissed Graham Hume for 14, caught by Liton Das to finish with
3-37 and brought an end to the surprising resistance of Ireland.
Resuming at 27-4 and with a fear of being rolled out quickly to taste an
innings defeat against the much-vaunted spin attack of Bangladesh, the Irish
dug in and grittily batted out the third day to give themselves faint hope.
Lorcan Tucker hit a century, complemented by career-best half-centuries by
Harry Tector and Andy McBrine helped Ireland survive day three and reach
stumps on 286-8, leading Bangladesh by 131 runs. On day four, they could add
just six runs to their overnight total.
Tucker, who made 108 off 162 balls with 14 fours and one six, became the
second Irishman to hit a century on debut after Kevin O'Brien. Tector,
another debutant followed his 50 in the first innings with 56.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam was the best bowler for Bangladesh with 4-90,
following his 5-58 in the first innings. Skipper Shakib Al Hasan who bowled
only 13 overs, took 2-20.
Earlier, Bangladesh was bowled out for 369 in its first innings, taking 155
runs lead.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha