Bangladesh closing in on big win over Ireland
Bangladesh declared their first innings at 587 for 8. This is their third‑highest team total in Test cricket, and the highest ever at home.
Bangladesh have paved the way for a large victory in Sylhet. To avoid an innings defeat, Ireland now need 215 runs with only five wickets remaining.
Bangladesh declared their first innings at 587 for 8. This is their third‑highest team total in Test cricket, and the highest ever at home.
Ireland ended Thursday's play on five wickets down for 86 runs.
Having begun the day with one wicket down and 338 runs on the board, Bangladesh quickly lost the two unbeaten batters from the previous day. Mahmudul Hasan Joy (169) was dismissed after adding just 2 more runs, and Mominul Haque (80) likewise added only 2 more before falling to Barry McCarthy's brilliant deliveries.
Thereafter a 79‑run partnership developed between Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim. Mushfiqur, playing his 99th Test, made 23 before being dismissed by Matthew Humphreys' excellent delivery. Then Shanto and Litton Das added 98 runs together — Litton struck 60 from 66 balls, with eight fours and one six, before being caught by Harry Tector off Humphreys. Shanto reached his century in 112 balls (in his 38th Test, his eighth Test century) and was dismissed soon after.
Shanto's dismissal marked the end of any substantial contributions with the bat thereafter. With the lead pushed well over 300, Bangladesh's captain declared the innings.
Left‑arm spinner Matthew Humphreys took five wickets for 170 runs in the first innings. Ireland's captain Andrew Balbirnie, who opened in the first innings, did not bat in this innings.
