Bangladesh VS Ireland

Lone Test Played at SBNCS Dhaka Bangladesh

Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day Three

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 286/8 (Lorcan Tucker 108, Andy McBrine 71*, Harry Tector 56  Shakib Al Hasan 2/7, Taijul Islam 4/86 , Shakib Al Hasan 2/26 )

Ireland leads by 131 Runs with 2 second Innings Wickets at hand.

Test cricket changes hue at every session. That cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty was evidenced once more at SBNCS as test cricket novice producing high quality resilient cricket from back to wall situation not only extended the test against Bangladesh to day four but created realistic outside possibility of staging upset. From a situation of dire crisis looking down the barrel at 27/4 reeling with 127 runs deficit of a probable humiliating innings defeat the finished day three at 286/8 . With 131 ahead they can make opposition struggle if they can add another 50-60 runs. If that happens that will be a red-letter day in the cricket history of the small yet wonderfully joyful nation. Many observers including this writer had virtually written them off while starting at 155 runs in arrear in the first innings Ireland was looking miserable at 27/4 at stumps of day two. Many predicted that the match may end at lunch of day three. Harry Tector (56) , Lorcan Tucker (108) and Andy McBrine ( 71*) producing cricket of high pedigree not only brilliantly led Ireland avoiding  innings defeat but also forging ahead by 131 runs with 2 wickets still at hand. On the first two days 12+12 = 24 wickets fell. But on day three Ireland batting bravely against a very potent Bangladesh attack added 259 runs for the loss of 4 wickets only. The effervescence of test cricket demonstrated yet again. The loving tag of a game of glorious uncertainty was evidenced again. Whether the best all rounder Shakib did not bowl his quota yesterday can not be an excuse here. Ireland created a realistic possibility of putting Bangladesh to test.

Earlier on the day Bangladesh left arm pacer Shoriful removing Moor early made some headway. Ireland looked miserable at 5/51. From there on Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker started turning the tide playing resolute yet dynamic cricket. Unfortunately, Tector got out scoring 56, his second fifty of the match. At 123/6 Ireland was still at 32 runs deficit for avoiding innings defeat. Tucker coming to bat at number 7 found an able partner in off spinner Andy McBrine. The two producing a dream partnership of 111 for the 7th wicket not only avoided humiliating innings defeat but set the foundation of a possible Irish renaissance. Tucker went on scoring century in dream debut. Who knows whether his 108 may turn into a match defining contribution. What an innings of unbeaten 71 was played by Andy McBrine. He took 6/118 in Bangladesh first innings. Ireland is playing test after 2019 and this was only their 4th after joining the elite test family. At stumps of day three Ireland with 286/8 looks like setting a challenging fourth innings target for Bangladesh.

Off the Bangladesh bowlers Taijul Islam taking 4/86 looks poised for yet another 10 wickets haul. He alone toiled entire day while his much reputed captain Shakib for reasons best known to him stayed away from bowling most of the day. Whatever may happen in the test Ireland has done admirably well. A team which has vey little opportunity for playing quality longer version cricket playing under extreme heat and humidity played very matured and quality cricket.

BDST: 0452 HRS, APR 07, 2023

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