Bangladesh tightened their grip on the Dhaka Test after posting 476 thanks to superb centuries from Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das before reducing Ireland to 98 for 5 by stumps on the second day.
Mushfiqur made history by becoming the 11th batter to score a century in his 100th Test, completing his 13th ton with a single early in the morning session. Litton followed with an entertaining 128, smashing his way through the nineties with a six and four as the pair built a crucial 123-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Ireland’s spinners achieved a rare milestone, taking all ten wickets in a Test innings for the first time, led by Andy McBrine’s superb 6 for 109. However, their batters faltered under Bangladesh’s spin pressure, losing wickets steadily after a bright start from Paul Stirling, who struck 27 before falling lbw to Khaled Ahmed.
Hasan Murad’s sharp spell of 2 for 10 broke the backbone of Ireland’s reply, removing Andy Balbirnie and producing the ball of the day to dismiss Curtis Campher. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam added one wicket each as Ireland slipped to 98 for 5, still trailing by 378 runs.
Debutant Stephen Doheny (2) and Lorcan Tucker (11) will resume on day three, with Ireland facing an uphill battle to avoid a heavy defeat in Dhaka.
