Bangladesh crushed Ireland by an innings and 47 runs in Sylhet, wrapping up a dominant first Test victory inside four days. Centuries from Mahmudul Hasan Joy and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto set up the win, before spinner Hasan Murad’s four-wicket haul on day four sealed Ireland’s fate.​

Bangladesh’s Batting Dominance

After winning the toss, Bangladesh piled on 587/8 declared in their first innings. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy led the charge with a magnificent 171, his highest Test score, striking 12 fours and three sixes in a 265-ball marathon.​

Captain Shanto joined the party with a commanding century of his own, racing to 100 off just 112 balls with 14 boundaries. The pair put Bangladesh firmly in control, building on Shadman Islam’s quickfire 50 that gave them an explosive start.​

Litton Das chipped in with a brisk 50 off 53 balls, while Mominul Haque contributed valuable runs in the middle order. The hosts declared after 141 overs, leaving Ireland staring at a mammoth total.​

Ireland’s Twin Collapse

Forced to follow on after being bowled out for 286 in their first innings—trailing by 301 runs—Ireland needed a miracle to save the match. Cade Carmichael offered resistance on debut with a maiden Test fifty, but it wasn’t enough as Bangladesh’s spinners dominated.​

Starting day four at 86/5, Ireland hoped to extend the match but lost their last five wickets for 168 runs. Andy McBrine showed fighting spirit with a determined 52 off 106 balls, hitting five fours. He found support in captain Andy Balbirnie, who batted at number eight due to a finger injury, putting on 66 for the seventh wicket.​

The Final Blow

Bangladesh struck quickly after lunch when Nahid Rana dismissed McBrine with a short delivery that tempted him into a pull shot, with Murad taking the catch at midwicket. Barry McCarthy and Jordan Neill briefly delayed the inevitable with a 54-run stand for the ninth wicket, with Neill contributing 36 off seven boundaries.​

Murad finished with 4 wickets, while Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with key breakthroughs. Ireland were eventually bowled out for 254 in 70.2 overs.​

DRS Drama

The morning session featured several tense DRS moments, mostly favoring Ireland. Matthew Humphreys successfully overturned a decision in the opening over before Taijul removed him with a top-edged catch at backward square. McBrine survived two tight reviews in one over from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, while Balbirnie also had some fortune before Murad trapped him lbw for 38—a decision that stayed with umpire’s call as the ball clipped leg stump.​

Series Implications

The comprehensive victory gives Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, with the second Test scheduled for November 19 in Guwahati. For Ireland, the defeat continues their struggles in subcontinental conditions, where spin bowling poses their biggest challenge.​

Bangladesh’s ability to post massive first-innings totals and then strangle opponents with spin proved too much for the visitors, who managed just 540 runs across two innings compared to Bangladesh’s 587 in one.