Bangladesh continued their commanding display in Sylhet, piling up a mammoth first-innings total before their spinners reduced Ireland to 86 for 5 on the third day of the first Test on Thursday.
Centuries from skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mahmudul Hasan Joy laid the platform, while Litton Das added a rapid half-century as the hosts declared at 587 for 8 in 141 overs.
Joy’s superb 171 from 286 balls anchored the innings, with Shanto contributing a fluent 100 — his eighth Test century and fourth as captain. Mominul Haque’s 82 and Shadman Islam’s 80 ensured Bangladesh maintained complete control. Litton’s brisk 60 from 66 balls added further momentum before the declaration.
Spinners Rip Through Ireland
Ireland’s reply unravelled quickly. Hasan Murad struck twice in a three-over burst, finishing with 2 for 8, while Taijul Islam and Nahid Rana kept the pressure relentless.
Rana made the first breakthrough, uprooting Cade Carmichael’s off stump with a stunning inswinger. Paul Stirling briefly counter-attacked with a sprightly 43, lifting Ireland’s hopes alongside Harry Tector, but the partnership was short-lived.
Stirling’s run-out, attempting a sharp single after Litton Das missed a stumping, broke the stand. Taijul then trapped Tector lbw for 18, before Murad removed Curtis Campher thanks to Shadman Islam’s sharp catch at cover. Lorcan Tucker fell soon after, lbw to Murad for 9, leaving Ireland tottering.
Ireland Left With Mountain To Climb
Earlier in the day, Barry McCarthy removed Joy with a late outswinger, ending the opener’s career-best innings. McCarthy later dismissed Mominul, but Shanto’s partnerships with Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das ensured Bangladesh pushed on relentlessly. For Ireland, Matthew Humphreys was the standout bowler with a tireless 5 for 170, his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
With Ireland still 215 runs adrift of making Bangladesh bat again and only five wickets left, the hosts are now firmly on course to seal an emphatic victory heading into day four.
Humphreys Remains Hopeful
The maths is pretty clear, we still have two days to go and we have to bat like we would in any other game. Cricket is a funny game at times, so we never know what can happen if we stick to our plan," he said at stumps.
Brief scores: Ireland 286 & 86/5 in 29 overs (Paul Stirling 43; Hasan Murad 2-8) Bangladesh 587/8 decl in 141 overs (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 171, Najmul Hossain Shanto 100, Mominul Haque 82, Shadman Islam 80, Litton Das 60; Matthew Humphreys 5-170, Barry McCarthy 2-72) Bangladesh lead by 215 runs.
