How Did Mushfiqur and Litton's Centuries Lead Bangladesh to Dominate Ireland?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mushfiqur Rahim scored 106 runs in his 100th Test.
- Litton Das contributed 128 runs, leading to a strong total.
- Bangladesh posted 476 runs in their first innings.
- Ireland fell to 98 for 5 in their response.
- Bangladesh's spinners took control of the game.
Mirpur, Nov 20 (NationPress) Centuries from experienced players Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das propelled Bangladesh into a commanding position on the second day of the second Test. The home team amassed a total of 476 runs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur before their spinners limited Ireland to just 98 for 5 in response.
Mushfiqur, who was on 99 overnight, became the eleventh player ever to score a century in his 100th Test match, achieving his 13th century with a single on the ninth ball of the day. He added a few more runs before being dismissed for 106, caught at second slip off debutant Matthew Humphreys.
Litton also reached his century in the first session, showcasing an aggressive approach with a six and a four as he neared the milestone. Together, he and Mushfiqur formed a 123-run partnership for the sixth wicket, marking Bangladesh’s third consecutive century stand.
Ireland’s bowlers began the day positively, with Andy McBrine achieving his second six-wicket haul in Tests, both at the Shere Bangla Stadium. Humphreys and Gavin Hoey each took two wickets, a first for Ireland’s spinners in claiming all ten wickets in a Test innings. McBrine wrapped up the innings by trapping Khaled Ahmed lbw with half an hour left in the second session.
However, Ireland's batting performance crumbled almost immediately.
Paul Stirling gave the visitors a brief advantage with a series of boundaries, including a slog-swept six off Taijul Islam, but he fell lbw to Khaled for 27. Captain Andy Balbirnie followed soon after, edging Hasan Murad to slip for 21. Cade Carmichael became Mehidy Hasan Miraz's first wicket, also lbw, after remaining deep in the crease.
Murad then bowled the delivery of the day — an arm-ball that bypassed Curtis Campher's defense — before Taijul dismissed Harry Tector lbw for 14, putting Ireland in a precarious position.
By the close of play, debutant Stephen Doheny (2*) and Lorcan Tucker (11*) were holding on, but Bangladesh’s spinners — Murad with two, and Miraz and Taijul with one each — had firmly established the hosts in a dominant position.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh 476 all out in 141/1 overs (Litton Das 128, Mushfiqur Rahim 106; Andy McBrine 6-109, Gavin Hoey 2-115, Matthew Humphreys 2-151) lead Ireland 98/5 in 38 overs (Paul Stirling 27, Andrew Balbirnie 21; Hasan Murad 2-10) by 378 runs