What a finish! The second Test between Bangladesh and Ireland at the Shere Bangla National Stadium had it all. While the final result shows a dominant 217-run win for the hosts, that number doesn't tell the whole story of Ireland's incredible grit on the final day. Chasing an almost impossible target of 509, the visitors put up a fight that had everyone on the edge of their seats, pushing the match deep into the fifth day before the Bangladeshi bowlers finally broke through.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Bangladesh secured a convincing 217-run win over Ireland, clinching the two-match series 2-0.
- ✓ Taijul Islam reached a massive career milestone, capturing his 250th Test wicket.
- ✓ Ireland's Curtis Campher played a heroic innings, remaining unbeaten on 71 from 259 balls in over six hours of resistance.
- ✓ The match was a celebration for Mushfiqur Rahim, who scored a century (106) in his 100th Test match.
- ✓ Young spinner Hasan Murad was the hero on the final day, taking two wickets in two balls to end Ireland's stubborn fight.
The Final Day's Tense Standoff
Going into Day 5, the script seemed written. Ireland needed a mountain of 333 runs with just four wickets in hand. A Bangladesh victory felt like a mere formality. But cricket, as we know, is a funny old game. The overnight pair of Curtis Campher and Andy McBrine started the day with incredible focus, determined to delay the inevitable for as long as possible.
McBrine survived for nearly an hour before he was trapped lbw by Taijul Islam, a wicket that was hugely significant for the spinner. After McBrine's departure, things got even more interesting. Jordan Neill came in and decided to counter-attack, hitting a flurry of boundaries off Taijul and even a six off Hasan Murad. It was a brief but exciting cameo that was ended by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who snuck one through to hit the stumps.
With just two wickets left, the real drama began. Campher, the anchor of the innings, found an incredibly stubborn partner in Gavin Hoey. As the morning session ended and play resumed after lunch, the frustration for Bangladesh was visibly growing. Campher and Hoey just wouldn't budge. They defended, they left, and they slowly chipped away at the clock, surviving for a staggering 31 overs together. The partnership ensured Ireland batted for almost 60 overs on the final day, a testament to their fighting spirit.
A Match of Major Milestones
While the final day's tension was palpable, this Test will be remembered for some incredible individual achievements for Bangladesh. The star of the show with the ball was undoubtedly Taijul Islam. When he trapped Andy McBrine in front, it wasn't just another wicket; it was his 250th in Test cricket. He became only the sixth left-arm spinner in history to reach this prestigious mark, a truly phenomenal achievement that cements his legacy in Bangladesh cricket.
But the milestones didn't stop there. This match was also the 100th Test for the veteran campaigner, Mushfiqur Rahim. And what a way to celebrate! He marked the occasion with a brilliant century in the first innings, scoring 106 runs. He was beautifully supported by Litton Das, who top-scored with 128. Their partnership was the backbone of Bangladesh's massive first-innings total of 476, which ultimately set up the win.
After the first innings dominance, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto declared the second innings on 297 for 4, thanks to solid contributions from Mominul Haque (87) and Shadman Islam (78). This set Ireland that colossal target of 509, giving the bowlers more than enough runs to play with. Taijul was brilliant across both innings, finishing with match figures of 8 wickets, while Hasan Murad, the young spinner, stepped up when it mattered most on the final day, finishing with four wickets in the second innings.
Ireland's Unbreakable Spirit
Let's be honest, Ireland was never really in the hunt to win this game on the final day. But their performance was about more than just winning; it was about pride and resilience. And no one embodied that more than Curtis Campher. His innings was a masterclass in defensive batting under immense pressure. He stayed at the crease for more than six hours, facing 259 deliveries for his unbeaten 71. It was an effort of immense concentration and skill.
His resistance, especially alongside Gavin Hoey, made Bangladesh earn every bit of their victory. He offered the full face of the bat, wore down the bowlers, and showed that Ireland is a team that will not just roll over. We also saw flashes of promise on Day 4, when Harry Tector registered his fifth Test half-century, a gritty knock of 50 that helped push the game into the final day. In the first innings, Lorcan Tucker also showed his class with a score of 75*.
Despite losing early wickets in their chase, with openers Andrew Balbirnie and Paul Stirling falling cheaply, the middle order showed real character. It was this fight that made the Test so compelling. In the end, it took just two brilliant deliveries from Hasan Murad to wrap things up. He removed Hoey and then No. 11 Matthew Humphreys in consecutive balls to seal the game and the series, but Ireland walked away with their heads held high.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Bangladesh completed a well-deserved 2-0 series sweep, building on their dominant victory in the first Test. The match in Mirpur was a celebration of milestones for Taijul Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim, and it showcased the match-winning talent of young Hasan Murad. But it was also a story of incredible Irish defiance, led by the marathon effort of Curtis Campher. It was a fantastic Test match that reminded us why this format of the game is truly special.
