Bangladesh secured an emphatic victory over Ireland by an innings and 47 runs inside four days at Sylhet, putting in a comprehensive team performance across both innings. The win was shaped by Hasan Murad’s four-wicket haul and centuries from Mahmudul Hasan Joy and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, helping Bangladesh register a dominant result. Ireland, starting their second innings 301 runs behind, managed to extend the match until after lunch on Day 4 but could not prevent defeat. The manner of victory underlined Bangladesh’s command throughout the Test.
The foundation for Bangladesh’s win was laid with significant contributions from multiple players. Hasan Murad led the bowling attack, collecting four crucial wickets. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto anchored the batting with impressive centuries, ensuring their team established an insurmountable lead. Their efforts were complemented by disciplined fielding and support from the rest of the squad.
BAN vs IRE 1st Test Day 4 Highlights
Ireland’s second innings resistance was led by Andy McBrine, who played a patient knock of 52. Batting at No. 8 due to a finger injury, Andy Balbirnie contributed 38, and the pair added a 66-run partnership that offered some stability. After McBrine was dismissed by Nahid Rana with a short ball caught at midwicket, Barry McCarthy (25) and Jordan Neill (36) put together a fighting 54-run stand for the ninth wicket, delaying the inevitable but unable to change the result.
Earlier, Ireland lost five wickets on Day 3, setting up a daunting challenge for their lower order. Paul Stirling’s 43 ended in a run-out, while Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker were both trapped lbw by Taijul and Murad. Curtis Campher was dismissed by a sharp catch from Shadman Islam. These setbacks left Ireland facing an impossible chase going into the fourth day.
Ireland’s lower-order resilience on Day 4 was briefly sustained by several successful DRS reviews during the morning session, keeping hopes alive but never reversing the game’s direction. Balbirnie’s innings ended lbw to Hasan Murad on umpire’s call, the ball clipping leg stump, ending Ireland’s last substantial resistance.
Bangladesh’s tactical decisions, including effective use of their bowlers and sharp field placements, consistently applied pressure on the Irish batters. The timely introduction of Hasan Murad into the attack resulted in crucial breakthroughs, while aggressive fields paid off with regular wickets.
Bangladesh’s strategy centered on building a large first-innings total and then attacking with a varied bowling attack. Their plan succeeded as Ireland struggled to build partnerships or counter Bangladesh’s spin threat. Ireland, by contrast, were unable to recover after early collapses despite brief lower-order resistance.
This victory for Bangladesh highlighted their growing strength in home conditions and useful contributions from both senior and emerging players. Ireland’s defeat underlined the challenges they face in adapting to subcontinental pitches, with their batting unable to withstand sustained spin pressure. The result further cements Bangladesh’s position in the longer format, while Ireland will look to regroup for future fixtures.
– Ends
