Lorcan Tucker could have been debutant Hasan Murad’s first Test wicket, only if Najmul Hossain Shanto had held on to a catch at slip off the last ball of the 49th over. Bangladesh’s fielding woes continued throughout the day as they dropped five catches on the opening day of the first Test against Ireland in Sylhet on Tuesday.
At stumps, Ireland finished on 270/8, taking advantage of Bangladesh’s sloppy fielding despite an impressive start from the home side’s pace duo.Bangladesh found an early breakthrough courtesy of Hasan Mahmud, but the momentum slipped away with a series of missed opportunities.
Paul Stirling led Ireland’s charge with an ODI-style 60 off 76 balls, a knock that could have ended early had Bangladesh held on to their chances. Stirling was dropped twice, on 8 and 10, before settling in.
In the fourth over, Rana found a thick outside edge off Stirling, only for Shadman Islam at second slip to put it down. The following over, Taijul Islam dropped debutant Cade Carmichael at short mid-wicket off Hasan Mahmud’s bowling when the Irishman was on 10. Carmichael went on to score a composed maiden Test fifty.
Rana could have removed Stirling again in the sixth over when the right-hander’s mistimed cut went straight to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who failed to grab the chance. Despite losing captain Andy Balbirnie for a duck in the first over, Stirling and Carmichael stitched together a crucial 96-run stand to steady Ireland’s innings.
The fourth missed chance came off Hasan Murad’s bowling when Tucker edged one to first slip. Shanto, stationed there, lost his balance while attempting the catch and dropped it, visibly frustrated, he hurled his sunglasses to the ground in anger.
Tucker, earlier reprieved on 11, was eventually stumped by Litton Das off Murad for 41, as the debutant spinner earned his second Test wicket while Curtis Campher was his first prey.
Although it was one of the more difficult chances, the final dropped catch came at mid-off by Mushfiqur Rahim. Jordan Neill, another debutant for the Irish side, attempted to go aerial over mid-on, but the ball turned after Hasan Murad’s follow-through and produced a leading edge. A desperate dive at mid-off was not enough for Mushfiqur to complete the catch.
Had Bangladesh held on to those five chances, they could have saved as many as 161 runs in the first innings, as Stirling, Carmichael, Tucker, and Jordan added 52, 49, 31, and 29 runs respectively after being given lifelines.
However, in the press conference Hasan Mahmud was asked about those dropped catches. Hasan explained, “It’s part of the game, catches will be dropped. But we try to take it as a positive that chances are being created.”
“So, the fielders remain more ready for the next one. But, of course, it doesn’t feel good when a catch is missed. But everyone is trying their best.” Hasan added
