Bangladesh continued to dominate the third day of the first Test against Ireland in Sylhet, reaching 575 for 7 by tea. The hosts added 237 runs in the two sessions, extending their lead to 289 runs.
Resuming on 338 for 1, Bangladesh lost both overnight batters early. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who began the day on 169, fell for 171 after edging Barry McCarthy to wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker. Mominul Haque followed soon after, scoring 82 before a rising delivery from McCarthy squared him up and found the edge.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto then took charge alongside Mushfiqur Rahim. Shanto played with intent, punishing the fuller balls and pulling the short ones with ease. Mushfiqur looked steady but was caught at second slip for 23 off Humphrey’s bowling, which also showed signs of increasing turn.
At lunch, Bangladesh stood at 447 for 4, with Shanto unbeaten on 61 and Litton Das on 19.
In the afternoon session, Shanto kept up his brisk scoring, reaching his century off just 114 balls. It was his eighth Test hundred and fourth as captain, equalling Mushfiqur Rahim’s record for Bangladesh. His conversion rate once again underlined his consistency at the top level. Notably, all of Bangladesh’s top four batters: Joy, Mominul, Shanto, and Litton crossed fifty, a first for the team in Tests.
Litton Das provided strong support, using the sweep effectively against the spinners. He made a fluent 60 before Lorcan Tucker pulled off a stunning catch at long-on off Humphrey’s bowling. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was soon dismissed caught and bowled by the same bowler.
By the tea interval, Bangladesh had reached 575 for 7, with Hasan Mahmud and Hasan Murad at the crease. The hosts now sit comfortably ahead, eyeing a massive first-innings total.
