The second day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Ireland in Mirpur was dominated by the hosts, who amassed 387 for 5 by lunch, putting significant pressure on the visitors. The morning session was a celebration of milestones, featuring centuries from veteran Mushfiqur Rahim and the in-form Litton Das.
Mushfiqur Rahim, playing in his 100th Test match, provided a "poetic symmetry" to the occasion by converting his overnight score of 99 into a century.
He reached his ton on the ninth ball of the morning, becoming only the 11th batter in Test history to score a century in their 100th Test.
Shortly after reaching the landmark, the 38-year-old was dismissed for 106 off 214 balls (including five fours), edging a sharp delivery from Matthew Humphreys to Andy Balbirnie at second slip.
Following Mushfiqur's century, Litton Das swiftly reached his half-century. He then accelerated, securing his own hundred just before the lunch break. Litton added an unbroken 77 runs for the fifth wicket with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (who was 30 not out).
Litton remained unbeaten on 103 at lunch. This was his fifth Test century and his first in over a year. The innings also marked a personal milestone, coming in his 100th first-class match.
Bangladesh's batting onslaught yielded 95 runs in the first session for the loss of just one wicket (Mushfiqur's). The partnership between Litton and Mehidy was characterized by quick scoring, including a string of fours and sixes, causing a morning of "toil" for the Irish bowlers who had little luck on the second day.
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