On the opening day of the Sylhet Test, Bangladesh came close to bowling out Ireland but missed the opportunity due to several dropped catches. After Ireland lost their seventh wicket at 222 runs, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s team seemed in full control of the match. However, the repeated fielding errors cost them dearly.
At the end of the day’s play, Ireland finished on 270 for 8 in 90 overs. On the final ball of the day, debutant Jordan Neil (30) was trapped LBW by Taijul Islam, while Barry McCarthy remained unbeaten on 21.
Bangladesh started the day strongly — Hasan Mahmud dismissed Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie for a duck on just the fourth ball of the innings. But after that, the fielders’ series of missed catches allowed Ireland to recover.
Both Paul Stirling and debutant Cade Carmichael capitalized on their dropped chances to build crucial innings. Stirling, dropped twice on 8 and 10, scored 60 before being dismissed by Nahid. Carmichael, who was dropped on 10, went on to make 59 before Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the day’s best bowler with 3 wickets, removed him.
Earlier, debutant left-arm spinner Hasan Murad claimed his first Test wicket when Curtis Campher (44) was caught by Shanto. Murad later dismissed Lorcan Tucker (41), who had also been given a life earlier and helped his side reach a competitive total.
As a result, Bangladesh squandered an easy chance to bowl Ireland out cheaply. The Tigers will now aim to pick up the remaining two wickets early on Day 2.
Brief Score:
Ireland 1st innings: 270/8 in 90 overs
(Balbirnie 0, Stirling 60, Carmichael 59, Tector 1, Campher 44, Tucker 41, McBrine 5, Neil 30, McCarthy 21*; Hasan 12-4-32-1, Nahid 14-0-65-1, Taijul 21-6-72-1, Murad 20-5-47-2, Miraz 23-6-50-3)