BAN vs IRE, 1st Test: Stirling, Carmichael hit fifties before Bangladesh spinners strike back on Day 1

Bangladesh’s spinners fought back on the opening day of the first Test against Ireland in Sylhet, as the visitor squandered a bright start to end the day at 270 for eight.

The spin trio of Taijul Islam, Hasan Murad and Mehidy Hasan Miraz picked six wickets between them as Ireland slumped from a commanding position of 150 for three. Just as Jordan Neill and Barry McCarthy, who added 48 runs for the eighth wicket, were putting on a brave resistance, left-arm spinner Taijul trapped Neill leg-before off the last ball of the day to put the smiles back on the faces of the Bangladeshi players.

Earlier, the host started the two-match series on a positive note as pacer Hasan Mahmud dismissed Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie leg-before in the first over. Paul Stirling and Cade Carmichael then put on an obstinate partnership for the second wicket to frustrate the host as Ireland took lunch comfortably placed at 94 for one.

However, Ireland lost Stirling and Harry Tector in the space of nine deliveries soon after the break, with the lanky pacer Nahid Rana and spinner Miraz making inroads.

Carmichael and Curtis Campher switched into damage control mode and added 53 runs for the fourth wicket before the former attempted an ill-fated reverse-sweep, and was adjudged caught after Bangladesh’s successful review showed that some part of the bat had come in contact with the ball.

Campher and wicketkeeper-batter Lorcan Tucker stitched another obdurate 53-run stand, off 121 balls, but a sharp catch at first slip by Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto meant Campher had to walk back, handing debutant left-arm spinner Hasan Murad his maiden Test wicket.

With less than 30 overs left for the scheduled close of play, Ireland was looking to end the day without being bowled out, but once Tucker and Andy McBrine fell in quick succession to Murad and Miraz, respectively, it seemed like a bridge too far.

However, McCarthy and Neil clung on for 103 balls to ensure Ireland survived the day, though Bangladesh had the last laugh.

Published on Nov 11, 2025