Bangladesh on the brink of victory

Sports Reporter :
A terrific century by ace batter Mushfiqur Rahim steered Bangladesh to pile up a massive total of 369 in the first innings against Ireland on the second day of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur on Wednesday.
Earlier, Ireland were dismissed for 214 in the first innings on the first day (Tuesday).
Later, Ireland were at the stumps at 27 for the loss of four wickets.
Bangladesh need six wickets within 127 runs to earn innings victory against the tourists.
Bangladesh resumed their first innings with the over-night score of 34 for the loss of two wickets.
Later, Mominul Haque (17) were bowled out by Mark Adair when Bangladesh’s score was 40 for the loss of three wickets.
Then, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan built a valuable partnership contributing together 159 runs for the fourth wicket partnership before Shakib Al Hasan was caught behind by wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker when Bangladesh’s total was 199 for the loss of four wickets.
Mushfiqur Rahim notched up a marvelous 126. His !66-ball innings was studded with 15 fours and a sixer. Mushfiqur reached his tenth Test hundred-run landmark using 135 deliveries with 13 fours and a sixer.
Shakib Al Hasan knocked a superb 87. His 94-ball innings had 14 fours. It is Shakib’s 31st Test half-century.
After departure of Shakib, Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das contributed together 87 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Litton was caught at the mid-off by Harry Tector off Ben White when the hosts’ score was 286 for the loss of five wickets.
Litton hit a fine 43. His 41-ball innings was belted with eight fours.
After Litton’s dismissal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy Hasan Miraz added together 45 runs in the six-wicket stand before Mushfiqur Rahim was caught at the long-on by Murray Commins off Andy McBrine when the home side’s total was 331 for the loss of six wickets.
After Mushfiqur’s departure, Bangladesh batters failed to make any notable partnership.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz hit a worthy 55. He hit five fours and two sixes in his 80-ball innings before he was stumped out by Lorcan Tuckker off Ben White when Bangladesh’s innings came to an end. It was Miraz’s fourth half-century in Test cricket.
Andy McBrine captured six wickets at the cost of 118 runs, while Mark Adair and Ben White bagged a pair of wickets each for 64 and 71 runs respectively.
Then, left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan gave his team early breakthrough as opener James McCollum (0) was trapped leg before wicket by left-arm spinner when the tourists’ score was just one.
Murray Commins, the other opener (1) was trapped leg before wicket by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam when Ireland’s total was seven for the loss of two wickets.
One-down McBrine (3) was bowled out by Taijul Islam when the visitors’ score was eight for the loss of three wickets.
Third-down Curtis Campher (1) was caught behind by wicketkeeper Litton Das off Shakib Al Hasan when Ireland’s total was 13 for the loss of four wickets.
Harry Tector remained unbeaten with eight runs, while Peter Moor remained unbeaten with 10 runs.
Taijul Islam and Shakib Al Hasan bagged two wickets each instead of seven and 11 runs respectively.