DHAKA — In an event that underscored the unpredictable drama of international sport, the third day of the second Test between Bangladesh and Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur was brought to a temporary but startling halt on Friday, March 31, 2023, after a mild earthquake shook the capital city of Dhaka.
The tremor, which registered a magnitude of 4.3 according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), struck at approximately 12:30 PM local time. Its epicenter was located just 14 kilometers north-northwest of Dhaka, making its presence felt acutely at the stadium, where Ireland was fighting to build a competitive second-innings total. The unusual interruption added a surreal chapter to what was already a historic series, being Ireland's first-ever multi-format tour of Bangladesh.
A Sudden Tremor on the Field of Play
Play was immediately suspended as players, officials, and the few hundred spectators in the stadium became aware of the gentle but unmistakable swaying of the stands and the sightscreens. On-field umpires Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Paul Wilson quickly convened with the players, and after a brief, confused discussion, it was decided to take everyone off the field as a precautionary measure.
The reaction from the players was a mixture of bemusement and concern. Irish batsman Lorcan Tucker, who was at the crease on 21 not out alongside Andy McBrine, later described the moment. "We felt the ground move a little bit and saw the sightscreen shaking," he said. "It was a very strange feeling, not something you ever expect to experience in the middle of a cricket match."
The stadium's public address system was used to inform those present about the cause of the interruption, which brought a sense of relief alongside the novelty. The players remained off the field for approximately ten minutes while stadium officials and match referees assessed the situation for any potential structural damage or safety risks. Fortunately, no damage was reported, and the all-clear was given.
The Context of the Match and the Series
The seismic interruption came at a critical juncture in a match that Ireland was desperate to salvage. Having lost the first Test by a significant margin, and with the preceding ODI and T20I series also going Bangladesh's way, the Irish team was showing commendable fight. After being bowled out for 292 in their first innings in reply to Bangladesh's 502, Ireland was forced to follow on.
At the time of the earthquake, Ireland was 117 for 4 in their second innings, still trailing by 93 runs. The key points of the match situation were:
- Bangladesh's Dominance: A massive first-innings total of 502, built on a magnificent 126 from Liton Das and a fluent 70 from captain Shakib Al Hasan.
- Irish Resistance: A fighting 84 from Harry Tector in Ireland's first innings had shown glimpses of their potential.
- The Follow-On: Being asked to bat again, Ireland's primary goal was to erase the deficit and set a challenging target.
The earthquake, therefore, provided an unexpected and nerve-testing break for the Irish batsmen, who were already under immense pressure from a disciplined Bangladeshi bowling attack led by the spin trio of Taijul Islam, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Player and Fan Reactions
The incident quickly became a major talking point on social media, with fans and commentators sharing their astonishment. The official handle of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) tweeted a succinct and now-famous update: "Play has been stopped temporarily due to earthquake!"
Irish all-rounder Andy McBrine, who was at the crease with Tucker, took the event in stride. "It was a first for me," he quipped in the post-day press conference. "You prepare for rain delays and bad light, but you never think you'll have to come off for an earthquake. It just adds to the experience of touring this part of the world."
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, a veteran of countless high-pressure situations, also found the moment unique. He noted that while minor tremors are not entirely uncommon in the region, experiencing one during an international sporting event was a new one for him as well. His calm demeanor helped ensure a smooth and orderly process for bringing the players back onto the field once the safety check was complete.
Resumption and the Final Outcome
Once play resumed, the focus quickly returned to the cricket. The brief interruption did little to disrupt the momentum of the Bangladeshi bowlers. Ireland's resistance was eventually broken, with the team being bowled out for 292 in their second innings, leaving Bangladesh with a trivial target of 138 runs to win. The hosts chased it down comfortably, losing only two wickets and sealing a 2-0 series whitewash.
Despite the loss, Ireland's coach, Heinrich Malan, praised his team's character. He reflected on the series as a whole, emphasizing the learning experience for his relatively young Test side. The earthquake, while a bizarre footnote, was just another part of the challenging and unpredictable nature of playing Test cricket abroad.
A Rare Occurrence in Sporting History
While weather has always been a traditional disruptor of outdoor sports, geological events are far rarer. This incident in Dhaka joins a small but memorable list of earthquakes affecting major sporting events. Other notable instances include:
- 2011 MLB Playoffs: A magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Virginia was felt during a game at Nationals Park in Washington D.C.
- 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: A tremor interrupted a match between Iran and Syria in Tehran.
- 1989 World Series: The devastating Loma Prieta earthquake struck just before Game 3 in San Francisco.
The Dhaka tremor, while minor in comparison, served as a stark reminder of the powerful natural forces that exist entirely independently of human endeavors, even those as passionately followed as international cricket. It provided a moment of shared, global curiosity and highlighted the importance of safety protocols in all large-scale events.
In the end, the Bangladesh vs. Ireland Test will be remembered not only for the home side's comprehensive victory but for the ten minutes when the ground literally moved, creating a unique and unforgettable story for every player, official, and fan present at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium that day.