Bangladesh cricket has not seen scenes like this very often. On the first morning of the Mirpur Test against Ireland, Najmul Hossain Shanto was bowled and walking off in the opening session. Almost instantly, a roar rose from the Grand Stand. The reason was clear: Mushfiqur Rahim was coming in to bat in his 100th Test. As he walked to the middle, he glanced skyward, carrying the fresh memory of a special BCB felicitation he received before the toss.
With that moment still in mind, Mushfiqur carefully negotiated the final two balls of McBrine’s 28th over, getting forward and playing them with assurance. However, despite the positive start to Mushfiqur’s historic day, Bangladesh eventually lost their way in the first session against McBrine’s spin. After 31 overs, they went to lunch at 100 for 3, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul Haque at the crease.
From the first ball of the morning, there was significant bounce on offer from the pitch, along with a touch of fresh grass. Even so, openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam adapted well and played some excellent shots. They drove on the full length deliveries through cover and cut square off the shorter ones with ease, putting on a 52-run opening stand. Shadman was the first to fall, missing the line against an off-spinner’s turning delivery from McBrine and being trapped lbw. He made 35 off 44 balls with six boundaries.
Joy, who scored a century in the Sylhet Test, was batting with patience. He struck only two fours in an 86-ball innings. That cautious approach ultimately ended his stay. Advancing down the track to McBrine’s tossed-up delivery, he attempted a lofted shot but offered a catch to substitute fielder Barry McCarthy. The right-hander made 34. Just one ball before captain Shanto’s dismissal, he had hit a superb six over long on off McBrine. But when the bowler adjusted the length, Shanto failed to handle the turn and was bowled for 8 off 11 balls.
