Bangladesh VS Ireland Lone Test
Played at SBNCS Dhaka Bangladesh
Ireland 1st Innings 214 All Out (Harry Tector 50, Curtis Campher 34, Mark Adair 32 , Taijul Islam 5/54, Mehedi Miraj 2/43 , Ebadat Hossain 2/54)
Bangladesh 1st Innings 369 All Out (Mushfiqur Rahim 126, Shakib Al Hasan 87, Mehedi Miraj 55, Litton K Das 43, Andy McBrine 6/118, Mark Adair 2/64, Ben White 2/71)
Ireland 2nd Innings 27/4 (Shakib Al Hasan 2/7, Taijul Islam 2/11)
Ireland trails by 128 Runs with 6 second Innings Wickets at hand.
A full-strength Bangladesh playing to their potential made the Dhaka test against test minnows Ireland a battle of David against Goliath.
At stumps on day two the tourist looked like losing match by an innings on the third morning when batting against a first innings deficit of 155 they were reduced to 27/4 by two world class left arm spinners Shakib and Taijul .The match so far underlined the fact that Bangladesh could very well let Shakib and Litton go for IPL. Ireland could manage only 214 in the first innings after Irish captain won the toss and opted to bat on a rare green top wicket at SBNCS. Ironically it was not Bangladeshi pacers but left arm spin of Taiul (5/58) and right arm off spin of Miraj ( 2/43) did the damage. Perhaps Bangladesh lost a trick not playing rookie Hasan Mahmood in the match. If Shakib bowled as usual as premier bowler of the team Ireland could be much more trouble.
Ireland could manage only 214 in the first innings. Only Harry Tector (50), Curtis Campher (34) and Mark Adair (32) could somehow put-up symbolic resistance. Irish batsmen showed their inexperience of red ball cricket .7 of the 11 played had their debut in the test. However, exploiting the pace and movement of the wicket Irish bowlers had early success removing both Bangladeshi openers Shanto and Tamim for 32 at stumps of day. On the second morning Irish pacer Adair cleaning up Mominul early gave some scare . Bangladesh at 40/3 was in a sort of bother. But two champion batsmen Shakib and Mushifiue unleashing planned counter attack turned the tide with a brilliant 165 runs 4th wicket partnership. Flamboyant Shakib with a swash buckling match defining Innings of 87 gave majestic Mushfique a dynamic company.
Shakib was made to play a desperate stroke as McBrine bowled consistently way outside off stump. Shakib fell scoring aggressive 87 in 94 deliveries in an ODI mode. Mushfique went on and scored his 10-test century. His 126 had graceful strokes including few trademark reverse sweeps. Limited Irish bowling did well in containing Bangladesh innings to 369. Litton played a quick-fire innings of 43 and Mehedi Miraj continued his good works with the bat scoring useful 55. McBrine bowled exceeding well taking 6/ 118. Irish played huffed and puffed in hot and humid summer. But no sooner did the come to bat again the heat generated by high quality Bangladesh spinners Shakib and Taijul appeared more teasing. Having loss 4 wickets for only 27 they look set for a huge defeat on day three if not by an innings.
True that Shakib and Litton played two very good innings ,yet it does not mean that Shadman or other batsmen could not do nearly that. Bangladesh would have won the match anyway. Rather Bangladesh lost an opportunity for providing their bench an opportunity for the taste of test Match. Shakib and Litton could be released for playing in IPL. Bangladesh would have eventually gain advantage in doing that. BCB must have confidence in own players. Bangladesh did not require 6 bowlers for the uneven contest against a very ordinary inexperienced opposition.
BDST: 1129 HRS, APR 06, 2023
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