Bangladesh defeated Ireland by an innings and 47 runs in the first of the two-match Test series being played between the two teams, at the Sylhet International Stadium. The Bangla Tigers were the superior due to their expertise in these conditions, as well as the mastery they have gained over their skillset. Ireland batted first in this match and put up a modest total of 286 on the board before being bowled out.
Opener Paul Stirling (60) and Cade Carmichael (59), who came in at number three, were the highest-scorers for the visitors while off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz returned with figures of 3-50. Alongside Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taijul Islam, and Hasan Murad picked up a couple of wickets apiece. Ireland’s middle-order batters Curtis Campher (44) and Lorcan Tucker (41) got off to good starts, but they could not convert them into big scores.
Bangladesh, in reply, virtually ground the Irish bowling attack to oblivion, putting up a mammoth score of 587-8 declared in 141 overs. They were led by opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s brilliant 171, which consisted of 14 boundaries and four sixes, and came off 286 deliveries. He was assisted by his captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored an even 100 before being caught plumb in front of the wicket. Senior wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das also chipped in with a quality 60 off a mere 66 balls. For Ireland, left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys was the most successful, with figures of 5-170.
In the second innings, Ireland, facing a trail of 301 runs, lost Carmichael (who opened) early on while Stirling made a well-built 43 before being run out. No other Irish batter offered any resistance save Andy McBrine, who scored 52 off 106 balls lower down the order. His knock consisted of five boundaries. Skipper Andrew Balbirnie came out at number eight, scoring 38, but was unable to prevent his team from getting all out for 254, hence handing Bangladesh victory by an innings and 47 runs. Hasan Murad was the most successful Bangladeshi bowler in the second innings with 4-60.
Bangladesh vs Ireland – 2nd Test Preview (19.11.2025)
Bangladesh take on Ireland in the second Test of the ongoing series at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Wednesday, November 19. Bangladesh defeated their opponents convincingly in the first match of the series, and as a result, have taken a 1-0 lead. They batted just once in the first match and beat their opponents by the margin of an innings. In Dhaka, the home team are expected to press their advantage further, especially since they have a lot of top-quality spinners in their ranks.
Ireland have struggled to come to terms with the presence of the spinners in Bangladesh’s squad, and if they do not use their feet well enough, or take advantage of the depth of the crease, they will suffer from a similar fate in the second match. Opener Paul Stirling, with his vast experience, stood up for his team in Sylhet and will have to shoulder most of the responsibility here as well. Although he is known for his swashbuckling batting in white-ball cricket, he showed a lot of calm and maturity in the first Test.
Bangladesh, for their part, will treat this match as preparation for further challenges to come from tougher opponents. Ireland are a newly-minted Test nation and are just about finding their feet in this format. While their bowlers have been able to hit the right lengths, their batters have been unable to come into their own and dictate terms to their opponents. Bangladesh’s batters, meanwhile, have showcased what is needed to put up domineering performances by batting for long periods of time and grinding the Irish bowling to dust.
Predicted Teams
BAN: Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad.
IRE: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Jordan Neill, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young.
Key Players
Mahmudul Hasan Joy (BAN): For Bangladesh, opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy shone with a brilliant 171 in the first Test. He will be expected to continue in the same vein of form and frustrate the Irish bowlers. Joy was impeccable with his footwork and timed each ball beautifully. What works in his favour is the fact that he gets into position quickly and then plays either a defensive or attacking stroke.
Paul Stirling (IRE): Opener Paul Stirling has been around the block for quite a long time now, having made his debut in international cricket back in 2008. While most of his contemporaries have called it quits, Stirling continues to enthral his supporters with his fabulous strokemaking. He led the way for Ireland with 60 and 43 in the first Test, and will be given the responsibility of getting them off to a good start in Dhaka as well.
Match Prediction
In these slow, spinning conditions, Bangladesh will be very hard to beat. We expect them to win this Test and take the series 2-0 by completing a whitewash. The Irish do not have enough quality in their ranks, although they do have players who have some experience of playing in the subcontinent. Nonetheless, the Irish are used to playing more white-ball cricket, and this has led them to take unnecessary chances in Tests. They will have to become more composed and play each ball according to its merit if they are to succeed in Tests.
