Waiting for the Fifth Day Bangladesh on the Brink of a Rare Mirpur Finale

The Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur is synonymous with quick finishes, matches wrapped up within three days. But the second Test against Ireland has flipped that familiar script entirely. Chasing a daunting target on a dusty, worn-out surface, Ireland’s unexpected resilience stretched the contest into a tense final session on Day Four—forcing the match toward a rare fifth-day conclusion, despite Bangladesh’s clear path to victory.

At stumps on Saturday, Ireland reached 176 for 6 while chasing an improbable 509. Bangladesh need just four more wickets, while the visitors still require 333 runs—an equation that borders on impossible. For a draw, Ireland must somehow survive the entire final day. Reality suggests Bangladesh are standing at the doorstep of yet another emphatic win.

Curtis Campher remains unbeaten on 34, with Andy McBrine accompanying him on 11.

Ireland’s chase faltered almost immediately after the lunch interval. In the sixth over, Taijul Islam trapped skipper Andy Balbirnie lbw, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan to become Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Moments later, he removed Paul Stirling as well.

Harry Tector and Cade Carmichael then stitched together a 51-run stand—their team’s first meaningful resistance. Carmichael fell for 19 to Hasan Murad.
Tector reached a composed fifty but undid his hard work with an ambitious lofted drive, holing out at long-off—Murad’s spin again breaking Ireland’s backbone.

Lorcan Tucker, who fought valiantly in the first innings, failed to replicate that effort. He edged behind for 7 off Khaled Ahmed, safely pouched by Liton Das.

Campher continued battling on, joined by Stephen Doheny. But Doheny soon departed lbw to Taijul, who claimed his 249th Test wicket—adding yet another highlight to his landmark day.

Earlier in the morning, Bangladesh resumed on 156 for 1. Despite losing two quick wickets, a 123-run stand between Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim swelled the lead. Mushfiqur, dropped on 16, capitalised by reaching his fifty—adding to the joy of his 100th Test, where he already scored a century. Mominul’s dismissal for 87 prompted Bangladesh to declare.

However, despite dominating most of the day, Bangladesh couldn’t bowl out Ireland in the remaining two sessions.
And so, the match heads to a rare fifth day in Mirpur—setting the stage for an uncommon finish at a venue known for anything but long-drawn Tests.