Irish defiance tests Tigers

The outcome of the second and final Test between Bangladesh and Ireland seemed almost certain after Day 4, with Ireland six down for 176 while chasing a daunting 509-run target.

However, Ireland surprised everyone on the fifth day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Sunday by showcasing remarkable resistance with the bat while the hosts were seemingly just going through the motions, waiting for the visitors to collapse.

Led by Curtis Campher, Ireland batted nearly 60 overs on the final day. Campher remained unbeaten on 71 off 259 balls, receiving significant support from the tail-enders.

He had begun the resistance late on Day 4 and had Andy McBrine by his side at stumps. McBrine gave him company for 13.2 overs in the following morning before getting trapped in front by Taijul Islam.

Campher and Jordan Neill then batted together for 14.1 overs before Mehidy Hasan Miraz snuck a ball through Neill's defences.

After losing two wickets in the morning session, Campher found support from the No. 9 batter, debutant Gavin Hoey.

The ninth wicket stand hung on for 30.5 overs, and took the game deep into the second session before a double strike from Hasan Murad left Campher without a partner.

In total, Ireland batted 113.3 overs before being bowled out for 291 in their second innings as the hosts notched up a 217-run victory to win the series 2-0.

Ireland's fight becomes even more impressive when looking at the numbers. They now hold the record for both the highest fourth-innings total and the most overs batted by a visiting team in the fourth innings at Mirpur.

In terms of runs scored in the fourth innings overall, they are second only to Bangladesh's 413 against Sri Lanka in 2008. Campher also faced the most balls in a fourth innings at Mirpur, surpassing Shakib Al Hasan's 212-ball effort against Sri Lanka.

Unlike the previous touring side that had to contend with the traditional slow and turning Dhaka pitches, the Irish had the advantage of batting on a sporting wicket, which had not turned into a minefield for batters even on the fifth day.

On a surface where things automatically didn't happen for the spinners on Day 5, the Tigers had to toil hard for wickets against the lower order of perhaps the least fancied Test side in the world in South Asian conditions.

However, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto claimed to be satisfied with his bowlers' efforts.

"On a wicket like this on Day 5, the way they [Ireland] challenged us, they definitely deserve that credit. But at the same time, the way our bowlers bowled with patience is also credit-worthy."

Meanwhile, Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie praised his team for their resistance, particularly lauded Campher for his effort. "Probably just before Murad took the two wickets, there was a small bit of excitement in the changing room at the drinks break. But credit to the Bangladesh spinners -- they don't miss their line and length too often, which tests our batters' defense. The two wickets and two balls ended it pretty quickly. Curtis can be very proud of his work today—it was an enthralling day's play."