Bangladesh Dominate Again, Set Records and Corner Ireland on Day Three

Bangladesh showcased their dominance once again, breaking a new batting record on home soil in Test cricket. By the end of the third day, Nazmul Hossain Shanto’s men had tightened their grip on the match, leaving Ireland with only one realistic goal — to avoid an innings defeat.

Batting first, Bangladesh declared their innings at 587 for 8 in 141 overs — their highest-ever total in a home Test, surpassing the previous best of 338 runs. Ireland managed 286 in their first innings, giving Bangladesh a massive 301-run lead. The bowlers made full use of that advantage as Ireland’s second innings quickly fell apart.

The visitors struggled right from the start, collapsing to 85 for 5 before stumps. Nahid Rana struck early, bowling Kade Carmichael for 5. Paul Stirling and Harry Tector tried to rebuild with a brief 47-run stand, but Stirling was run out for 43 following a sharp throw from Shanto.

Soon after, Taijul Islam trapped Tector lbw for 18, while young spinner Hasan Murad dismissed Curtis Campher (5) and Lorcan Tucker (9) in successive overs. Ireland finished the day at 86 for 5, still trailing by 215 runs, with Andy McBrine (4*) and nightwatchman Matthew Humphreys (0*) at the crease.

Earlier, Bangladesh’s batting was led by opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who played a career-best innings of 171, featuring 14 boundaries and four sixes. Captain Shanto added a classy century (100), while Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, and Liton Das all scored half-centuries. Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with 17 runs to push the total further.

The innings also brought a historic milestone for Bangladesh — for the first time in their Test history, all top four batters scored fifty or more runs, a testament to their depth and consistency in the batting order.

The morning session, however, brought a few hiccups. Resuming from 338 for 1, Bangladesh lost overnight batters Joy and Mominul within nine balls. Barry McCarthy’s sharp bowling broke their 173-run partnership. Joy, on the verge of his maiden double century, edged behind to wicketkeeper Tucker, while Mominul departed for 82.

Shanto and Liton then steadied the innings with a fluent 98-run stand off 107 balls. Liton, after reaching his fifty, was caught at long-on off spinner Matthew Humphreys for 60. Shanto carried on to register his eighth Test hundred, before falling lbw to Andy McBrine the very next ball.

With a 301-run lead secured, captain Shanto declared the innings. As things stand, with the bowlers firing on all cylinders, Bangladesh’s victory seems to be only a matter of time.