Bangladesh stayed in a commanding position in the second Test after ending the first innings with a big total. The home side made 476 in their first innings and then pushed Ireland onto the back foot before stumps in Mirpur.
Bangladesh had earlier built their innings with three century stands. Mushfiqur Rahim scored a historic hundred in his 100th Test and made 106. Litton Das played the main role in the afternoon. He batted with good timing and confidence and scored 128 off 192 balls. Mehidy Hasan Miraz supported him well, adding a 123-run stand before getting out for 47. The long partnerships kept Ireland under pressure all morning and afternoon.
Ireland’s Andy McBrine was the best bowler for the visitors. He worked hard on a flat pitch and took six wickets for 109 runs. His spells stopped Bangladesh from going past 500. Still, the hosts reached 476, a total that gave them control of the match.
Ireland then began their reply with a steady start. Paul Stirling and Murray Commins batted with care and reached 41 without losing a wicket. Stirling looked positive and scored 27 off 26 balls. But Khaled Ahmed broke the stand with a wobble-seam delivery that trapped him lbw.
Hasan Murad then changed the tone of the innings. He bowled with sharp turn and got Andy Balbirnie caught at slip as the ball spun away and took the outside edge. His wicket of Curtis Campher was even better. The ball pitched on middle and leg, turned past the bat, and hit the off-stump.
Bangladesh kept taking wickets at regular intervals. Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked up one wicket each. Ireland finished the day at 98 for 5, still far behind Bangladesh’s total.
Bangladesh ended the day in full control. The bowlers backed up the batters and pushed Ireland deep into trouble as the Test moved ahead.
