Bangladesh spinners stage comeback after Ireland’s solid start in Sylhet Test

Bangladesh recovered from a shaky start in the field to claw their way back into contention on the opening day of the Sylhet Test, as debutant Hasan Murad and Mehidy Hasan Miraz spearheaded a strong spin fightback to restrict Ireland to 270 for 8 at stumps on Tuesday.

Ireland’s innings ebbed and flowed — from early resilience to a mid-innings collapse and some late resistance — as they slipped from 184 for 4 to losing four wickets for just 86 runs in the final session.

After winning the toss on a good batting surface, Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie’s decision to bat first backfired instantly when he was trapped leg-before by Hasan Mahmud for a duck in the opening over.

The visitors, however, regained control through Paul Stirling and debutant Cade Carmichael, who took advantage of Bangladesh’s sloppy fielding to rebuild the innings. Both batters were dropped early, and the reprieves proved costly as they went on to add 94 runs for the second wicket.

Stirling, dropped twice, played confidently to reach his fifty off 68 balls and went to lunch unbeaten on 58, with Carmichael providing solid support at the other end.

Bangladesh roared back after the break. Nahid Rana struck in the first over of the second session, removing Stirling for 60 as he edged a rising delivery to Shadman Islam at second slip. Mehidy Hasan Miraz then used DRS to trap Harry Tector for 1 before dismissing Carmichael for 59, as the young debutant’s reverse sweep was brilliantly caught by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto diving forward at short midwicket.

By tea, Ireland were 184 for 4, with Curtis Campher and Lorcan Tucker attempting to rebuild. But the final session belonged firmly to Bangladesh’s spinners.

Hasan Murad, the 24-year-old left-arm spinner on debut, turned the tide with a superb spell that earned him his maiden Test wickets. He removed both Campher (44) and Tucker (41) in quick succession. Mehidy continued the pressure, dismissing Andy McBrine for 5 after the all-rounder was stumped by Litton Das while charging down the track.

Ireland debutant Jordan Neill then offered some resistance, adding 48 runs with Barry McCarthy to take the visitors past 250. Just as Ireland looked set to close the day strongly, Taijul Islam struck with the final ball, trapping Neill leg-before for 30.

Miraz finished with 3 for 50, while Murad impressed on debut with 2 for 47. Taijul, Hasan Mahmud, and Nahid Rana chipped in with a wicket each.

Bangladesh’s fielding, however, remained an area of concern, with five dropped catches allowing Ireland to post a competitive total on a pitch expected to aid spin further as the match progresses.

Ireland will resume Day Two on 270 for 8, aiming to cross 300, while Bangladesh look to polish off the tail quickly before beginning their reply with the bat.