MIRPUR — Bangladesh eventually overcame a spirited Ireland on the final day of the second Test to claim a comprehensive 2-0 series victory at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.
The hosts, set a modest target of 138, secured a seven-wicket win shortly after lunch on day five, but not before the Irish bowlers, led by the impressive Mark Adair, injected a dose of tension into the morning session by taking three quick wickets.
The series sweep, built on the foundation of a massive innings victory in the first Test in Chattogram, provides a significant confidence boost for the Bangladeshi side as they continue to build their red-ball credentials at home. For Ireland, despite the scoreline, the fight shown in Mirpur represents a landmark moment in their fledgling Test history.
Ireland's Gritty Final Stand
Beginning the final day on 286 for 8, holding a fragile lead of 128 runs, Ireland's hopes of setting a challenging target rested on the overnight pair of Andy McBrine and Graham Hume. The duo extended their ninth-wicket partnership to a vital 58 runs, frustrating the Bangladeshi bowlers for the first hour of play.
McBrine, resolute in defence, top-scored for the Irish with a determined 71 not out, his second Test half-century. The resistance was finally broken by Taijul Islam, who trapped Hume lbw for 20, before Shakib Al Hasan wrapped up the innings by clean-bowling Ben White for a duck.
Ireland's second innings total of 292 meant they had fought their way back into a match they were once trailing by a mammoth 155 runs after the first innings. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan acknowledged the fight put up by the visitors, stating, "Credit to Ireland, they played really well, especially in the second innings. They made us work hard for this win."
A Nervy Chase and Composed Finish
The small target of 138 seemed a formality on paper, but Ireland's new-ball bowlers had other ideas. Mark Adair, full of aggression and swing, produced a fiery spell that ripped through Bangladesh's top order. He dismissed both openers, Tamim Iqbal and Zakir Hasan, cheaply, before claiming the prized wicket of Najmul Hossain Shanto to reduce the hosts to a jittery 32 for 3.
With the stadium suddenly hushed, the experienced duo of Mushfiqur Rahim and captain Shakib Al Hasan steadied the ship. They saw off the dangerous Adair and navigated the team to lunch without further loss, effectively ending Ireland's hopes of a dramatic upset.
The pair returned after the break to complete the formalities with ease. Mushfiqur finished unbeaten on 51, his 27th Test fifty, while Shakib was 20 not out as Bangladesh crossed the line in the 25th over. The winning moment was a swept four by Shakib, triggering celebrations for a hard-fought series win.
The Foundation: A Massive First Innings
The victory was ultimately set up by Bangladesh's dominant first-innings performance, where they amassed a formidable 445. The innings was anchored by a magnificent maiden Test double-century from Liton Das, who batted with sublime touch and control for his 206.
He received crucial support from Mushfiqur Rahim (71) and a fluent 42 from Taijul Islam lower down the order. Their efforts built an imposing total that always kept Ireland under scoreboard pressure. Irish captain Andy Balbirnie praised Liton's knock, saying, "Liton played an incredible innings. To get a double-hundred in these conditions, he took the game away from us."
In reply, Ireland were dismissed for 292 in their first innings, with Curtis Campher's resilient 111 standing out. It was a maiden Test century for the all-rounder and a testament to the growing ability within the Irish ranks. Key contributions in the match included:
- Liton Das: 206 (First innings, Player of the Match)
- Curtis Campher: 111 (First innings)
- Andy McBrine: 71* & 4/118 (Second innings)
- Taijul Islam: 12 wickets in the match
Taijul Islam's Match-Defining Haul
While the batsmen set up the victory, it was left-arm spinner Taijul Islam who delivered the knockout blows. He was the undisputed star with the ball, claiming a match haul of 12 for 163. His figures of 4 for 90 in the first innings were followed by an even more impressive 8 for 73 in the second, his sixth eight-wicket haul in Test cricket.
On a pitch that offered consistent turn and bounce, Taijul's accuracy and subtle variations proved too much for the majority of the Irish batsmen. His performance earned him the Player of the Series award, a just reward for his relentless consistency. "I just tried to bowl in the right areas and let the pitch do the rest," a modest Taijul said after the match.
A Landmark for Irish Cricket
Despite the loss, this Test match will be remembered as a significant step forward for Ireland in the longest format. For the first time in their eight-Test history, they forced a match into the fifth day, demonstrating a newfound resilience and tactical acumen. Their first-innings fightback, led by Campher's century, and their second-innings resistance showed they are rapidly closing the gap.
Captain Andy Balbirnie reflected on the progress, noting, "It's obviously disappointing to lose 2-0, but there are a lot of positives. To take it to the fifth day and make them nervous in that chase is something we can build on. We're learning with every session we play in Test cricket."
Conclusion: A Hard-Earned Triumph
For Bangladesh, the series win is a return to winning ways in Test cricket and a validation of their strength in home conditions. The emergence of Liton Das as a dependable big-score maker and the ever-reliable presence of Taijul Islam with the ball are major positives. The team showed the necessary patience to break down a determined Irish side.
The series, however, belonged as much to the spirit of the game as it did to the victors. Ireland's tenacity ensured that this was no one-sided affair, but a proper contest that ebbed and flowed across five days. It served as a compelling advertisement for the inclusion and development of newer Test nations, proving that with opportunity, competitive and enthralling cricket is the ultimate winner.