Bangladesh in Command After Day Two, Ireland Facing Follow-On Threat

At Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, the second day of the Test clearly swung in favor of Bangladesh. In the final session of the day, Bangladesh picked up five Irish wickets, creating the looming threat of a follow-on. Chasing Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 476, Ireland ended the day at 98 for 5, still trailing by 378 runs. To avoid the follow-on, the visitors now need a substantial partnership of 178 more runs.

Ireland’s openers started their innings with some stability. Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie put together a 41-run opening partnership, but Khaled Ahmed struck first, dismissing Stirling for 27 LBW. Balbirnie (21) fell to Hasan Murad’s bowling, while Mehedi Hasan Miraz trapped Chadwick Carmichael LBW for 17. Curtis Campher was bowled for a duck by Hasan Murad, and Taijul Islam sent back Harry Tector (14) LBW. With Ireland losing five wickets for just 94 runs, Bangladesh’s bowlers delivered a colorful and commanding display.

Earlier, Bangladesh had posted a strong first-innings total of 476, thanks to centuries from Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das’s fifth career hundred. Mushfiqur scored 106 in his 100th Test, providing a solid foundation for the team. Liton Das played a storming 128-run innings, forging a 133-run partnership with Miraz, who contributed 47 runs. Hasan Murad added 11 runs and Ebadot Hossain remained unbeaten on 18, taking Bangladesh to 476 all out.

On the first day, Bangladesh had begun their innings with a 52-run opening stand between Sadman and Mahmudul. Both were dismissed by Andy McBrine, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto fell cheaply for 8. Mushfiqur then stitched a 107-run partnership with the team, helping Bangladesh finish the day at 292 for 4.