Bangladesh defeat Ireland by an innings
Ireland’s lower-order resistance briefly delayed Bangladesh’s innings victory, but it ultimately wasn’t enough. Bangladesh won by an innings and 47 runs, making a strong start to the series under captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.
Bangladesh began the fourth day with the scent of victory in the air. Ireland had ended the third day at 86 for 5, with McBrine and Matthew Humphreys at the crease. Then started McBrine’s resistance. The pair added 31 runs before Taijul Islam broke the stand by dismissing Humphreys. Attempting a slog sweep, he was caught at deep backward square by Shadman.
McBrine then joined Andrew Balbirnie and continued to fight. This partnership produced 66 runs, the highest for Ireland in the match. Balbirnie was dismissed by Hasan Murad after scoring 38.
McBrine reached his fifty before the lunch break, but could survive only two balls after the interval. He made 52 off 106 balls before being taken out by Nahid Rana. After his departure, Barry McCarthy and John Neill added 54 runs for the ninth wicket. Neill fell to Hasan Murad, breaking the partnership. McCarthy then became Taijul’s third wicket, sealing Bangladesh’s victory by an innings and 47 runs. Hasan Murad took 4 wickets, Taijul 3, and Nahid Rana picked up 2.
Earlier, Bangladesh bowled Ireland out for 286 in the first innings. Mehidy Hasan Miraz took 3 wickets, while Hasan Murad, Hasan Mahmud, and Taijul Islam took 2 wickets each.
In reply, Bangladesh declared at a mammoth 587 for 8. Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored a magnificent 171, Najmul Hossain Shanto made 100, Shadman Islam 80, Mominul Haque 82, and Liton Das scored 60.
Bangladesh dominated the match throughout. Despite winning the toss and choosing to bat, Ireland were restricted to just 286 in their first innings. In response, the Tigers piled up 587/8, with Joy’s superb 171 and captain Shanto’s responsible century forming the backbone of the innings. Joy was named Player of the Match for his outstanding innings.
The second Test of the series will begin on 19 November in Mirpur.
