Bangladesh tighten control as openers shine against Ireland
Shadman remained unbeaten on 69, while Joy—who hit a career-best 171 in the first Test—made 60 as Bangladesh reached 156 for 1 in their second innings, stretching their overall lead to an imposing 367 runs at stumps on day three.
Openers Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy struck fluent half-centuries as Bangladesh tightened their grip on the second and final Test against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today.
Shadman remained unbeaten on 69, while Joy—who hit a career-best 171 in the first Test—made 60 as Bangladesh reached 156 for 1 in their second innings, stretching their overall lead to an imposing 367 runs at stumps on day three.
Ireland's only breakthrough came through Gavin Hoye, who dismissed Joy. But Shadman and Mominul Haque, batting on 19 at the close, ensured the hosts finished the day in complete command.
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Earlier, Ireland were bowled out for 265 in their first innings, with left-arm spinner Taijul Islam taking 4 for 76—a haul that lifted him level with Shakib Al Hasan as Bangladesh's joint-highest Test wicket-taker.
Bangladesh, having posted 476, secured a 211-run first-innings lead.
Left-arm spinner Hasan Murad and pacer Syed Khaled Ahmed picked up two wickets each to complement Taijul's efforts.
Despite Ireland finishing 11 runs short of avoiding the follow-on, Bangladesh opted to bat again.
Bangladesh began the day aiming to swiftly wrap up the remaining five wickets after reducing Ireland to 98 for 5 overnight. However, Lorcan Tucker's resistance delayed the breakthrough. Tucker, who finished unbeaten on a team-high 76, stitched together two important stands—81 with Stephen Doheny (46) for the sixth wicket and 74 with Jordan Neill (49) for the eighth—to force Bangladesh to rethink their plan to enforce the follow-on.
A strong earthquake briefly halted play in the morning session, moments before Taijul triggered a double strike in the space of three deliveries.
He struck first to remove Doheny for 46 with a delivery that spun sharply to rattle his stumps, ending the 81-run stand. Two balls later, he bowled Andy McBrine with another viciously turning delivery as Bangladesh looked poised to wrap up the innings.
But Tucker and Neill added further frustration before pacer Ebadot Hossain broke the stand by dismissing Neill.
Khaled and Taijul then claimed the final two wickets in quick succession, leaving Tucker stranded as Ireland's innings came to an end.
