Bangladesh close in on victory as Taijul becomes country’s leading Test wicket-taker

NN ONLINE:

Bangladesh ended the fourth day of the Dhaka Test needing only four wickets to complete a commanding win over Ireland, after declaring their second innings at 297 for three and setting a target of 508. Ireland closed on 176 for six, stretched by grit but increasingly constrained by a surface breaking down beneath them.

The day belonged once again to Bangladesh’s spinners, with Taijul Islam reaching a historic milestone. His three wickets in Ireland’s second innings lifted him to 249 Test scalps — surpassing Shakib Al Hasan to become the highest wicket-taker in Bangladesh’s Test history. Taijul has already taken seven in this match, bowling with the sort of accuracy and control that has defined his decade-long career.

Harry Tector offered Ireland brief resistance with a spirited half-century, but he fell moments after raising the milestone, chipping a drive to mid-off. That dismissal reopened the innings, and Bangladesh pressed hard through the final hour. Curtis Campher remained unbeaten on 34 at stumps, joined by Andy McBrine, but survival appeared a matter of time rather than possibility.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh tightened their grip with a disciplined, confident morning session. Mominul Haque produced his 25th Test fifty, and Mushfiqur Rahim — fresh from his century in the first innings — moved into the 40s with characteristic calm. Their 106-run partnership framed a statement of control as Bangladesh stretched the lead past 500. Shadman Islam’s 78 anchored the early scoring before Andy McBrine pinned him in front, and Jordan Neill removed captain Najmul Hossain Shanto with a sharp bouncer.

Ireland might have had more to show had Cade Carmichael held a straightforward chance offered by Mushfiqur at deep backward square — a pivotal moment that ensured Bangladesh’s dominance continued unbroken. The home side declared shortly after reaching 297 for three, adding to their first-innings 476.

Ireland, who posted 265 in reply earlier, were left to withstand a relentless attack on a pitch offering sharp turn, uneven bounce and the occasional shooter. Hasan Murad delivered another canny spell of off-spin, while Khaled Ahmed added a wicket with the old ball. Ireland have battled with spirit throughout the match, showing clear signs of improvement and a willingness to absorb long spells.

But against Bangladesh’s well-drilled spin unit — on a surface deteriorating rapidly — the challenge remains steep.