Bangladesh secured a decisive innings-and-47-run victory over Ireland inside four days in the Sylhet Test, primarily propelled by commanding batting performances and excellent spin bowling.
The foundation was laid by the bat, with the home side declaring at a massive 587 for 8. The innings featured superb centuries from opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy (171) and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (100).
Ireland was bowled out for 286 in their first innings. Facing a 301-run deficit, they were forced to follow on. Ireland started their second innings needing 301 to make Bangladesh bat again and ended Day 3 having lost five wickets.
The resistance on the fourth day was notable, forcing Bangladesh to wait until 45 minutes after lunch. Andy McBrine anchored the innings with a patient 52 (106 balls), sharing a crucial 66-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Andy Balbirnie (38), who played despite a finger injury.
Nahid Rana provided the critical breakthrough after lunch, dismissing McBrine caught at midwicket off a short ball. Later, Barry McCarthy (25) and Jordan Neill (36) put up a 54-run stand for the ninth wicket, prolonging the match briefly. The debutant left-arm spinner Hasan Murad (4-60) and Taijul Islam (3-84) were the chief destroyers in the second innings.
Earlier in the innings, Paul Stirling (43) fought hard before being run out. The victory was described as a "team effort," with almost every player contributing, confirming Bangladesh's dominance over the visiting Irish side.
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