Bangladesh ended Day 4 just four wickets away from sealing a 2–0 series win, as Ireland closed on 176 for 6, still needing a massive 333 more to chase down 509 in Mirpur.
The day belonged to Taijul Islam, who overtook Shakib Al Hasan to become Bangladesh’s leading Test wicket-taker with 247 scalps. He struck early and decisively, trapping captain Andy Balbirnie lbw and removing Paul Stirling soon after, setting the tone for Ireland’s uphill battle. Hasan Murad added further pressure by pinning Cade Carmichael just before tea, leaving the visitors 77 for 3.
Harry Tector provided brief resistance with a fighting 50 off 80 balls, but his dismissal to a running catch from Mushfiqur Rahim triggered another slide. Khaled Mahmud removed first-innings hero Lorcan Tucker for 7, and after three dropped chances, Taijul finally dismissed Stephen Doheny to tighten Bangladesh’s grip on the game.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh declared on 297 for 4, driven by Mominul Haque’s 87 and a brisk unbeaten 53 from Mushfiqur Rahim. Openers Shadman Islam (78) and Mahmudul Hasan Joy (60) laid the foundation with a 119-run stand, before a 123-run partnership between Mominul and Mushfiqur powered the lead beyond 500.
With just four wickets separating them from a clean sweep, Bangladesh enter the final day firmly in control.
