Tigers tighten grip as Ireland slump to 86-5 in Sylhet Test

Bangladesh moved seemingly within sight of an innings victory as Ireland ended Day 3 reeling at 86 for five, still trailing by 215 runs, in the first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

After Bangladesh declared their first innings at 587 for eight -- securing a commanding 301-run lead -- the hosts' spinners and pacer Nahid Rana combined to dismantle Ireland's top order in the evening session.

Nahid drew first blood by castling debutant Cade Carmichael for five in the fourth over of Ireland's second innings. Opener Paul Stirling looked fluent during a 59-ball 43 but was dismissed in unfortunate fashion, run out following a mix-up.

Harry Tector tried to steady the innings with a 47-ball 18 before being trapped lbw by Taijul Islam, while left-arm spinner Hasan Murad struck twice to remove Curtis Campher (5) and Lorcan Tucker (9). To deepen Ireland's woes, a run-out added to their misery before stumps. Andy McBrine and Matthew Humphreys remained unbeaten on four and nought, respectively.

Earlier, Bangladesh's batters piled on the runs to tighten their grip on the contest. Resuming on 338 for one, the hosts overcame an early wobble when Barry McCarthy removed overnight batters Mahmudul Hasan Joy (171) and Mominul Haque (82) in quick succession.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto, returning as Test captain, led from the front with a fluent 100 off 114 balls -- his eighth Test century, while Litton Das struck a brisk 60 off 66 deliveries to further punish Ireland. Mushfiqur Rahim, playing his 99th Test, scored 23 runs, while opener Shadman had scored 80 the previous day. 

Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys was Ireland's standout bowler, finishing with five wickets, including the scalps of Litton, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (17), and debutant Hasan Murad (16). A boundary from Nahid shortly after tea took Bangladesh's lead beyond 300 before the declaration.

Bangladesh declare with a 301-run lead

Bangladesh batted for just three overs after tea before declaring their first innings on 587-8 with a 301-run lead over Ireland on Day 3 of the first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

A four from the bat of Nahid Rana got the lead over 300, ab over after debutant Hasan Murad got caught for 16 off Matthew Humphreys, who completed a five-wicket haul.

Earlier, opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy hit a mammoth 171, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto made exactly 100 off just 114 balls, Mominul Haque made 82, Shadman Islam 80 and Litton Das a 66-ball 60 as the hosts more than doubled Ireland's first innings tally of 286.

The visitors would have to outdo their first innings performance if they are to avoid an innings defeat with almost seven sessions still left in the game.

Bangladesh close in on a 300-run lead at tea

Bangladesh head into the tea break on Day 3, 11 runs short of a 300-run lead after skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto hit a century and Litton Das hit a half-century to power the hosts to 575-7 in 138 overs against Ireland in the first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Shanto and Litton, who were unbeaten on 61 and 19 at lunch, resumed from where they had left off and helped the Tigers put up 128 runs off 27 overs in the session.

Litton was caught brilliantly at long on off Matthew Humphreys after making an entertaining 60 off 66 balls while Shanto, in his return as Test skipper, completed his eighth Test century off just 112 balls, before getting trapped in front just two balls later on 100 by Andy McBrine. 

Humphreys claimed his fourth scalp by getting Mehidy Hasan Miraz caught and bowled for 12, exposing Bangladesh's tail.

Debutant Hasan Murad (12) and Hasan Mahmud (10) then played out the remaining few overs in the session and together got Bangladesh closer to a 300-run lead.

Skipper Shanto hits ton, Litton fifty, Bangladesh 500 

Resuming at 447 for four after the lunch break, Bangladesh continued to pile on the runs against Ireland in Sylhet on the third afternoon on Thursday.

Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto brought up his eighth Test century in style, reaching the mark off just 112 deliveries with 14 fours. His fluent innings further extended Bangladesh's dominance as the hosts moved to 545 for five in the 129th over, leading by 259 runs.

Earlier, Litton Das struck a brisk 19th Test fifty off 53 balls, hitting seven fours and a six before falling for a 66-ball 60.

Litton Das reacts after reaching fifty. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Litton's pacy knock added momentum to the innings, but left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys eventually had him caught at long-on -- a moment made memorable by Harry Tector's stunning catch, backtracking and keeping his eyes locked on the ball to complete it.

Bangladesh had earlier brought up their 500 total in the 118th over, marking the 13th occasion they have crossed the 500-run mark in Test cricket.

Shanto's composed century now anchors what has been a commanding home performance for the Tigers.

Mushfiqur departs, but Bangladesh in command

Bangladesh went into lunch with a 161-run lead as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the innings, sharing a 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket on the third morning of the opening Test against Ireland in Sylhet.

The morning had started poorly for Bangladesh, with pacer Barry McCarthy dismissing both overnight batsmen—Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque—in quick succession at the Sylhet International Stadium. However, Shanto and Mushfiqur quickly regained control, rebuilding the innings.

Spinner Matthew Humphreys, though, provided the visitors with a timely breakthrough just before lunch, dismissing Mushfiqur for 23.

At lunch, Bangladesh were 447 for four, with Shanto unbeaten on 61 and Litton Das contributing 19 runs.

Joy, Mominul depart early as McCarthy strikes twice

Bangladesh made a forlorn start on the third morning of the opening Test against Ireland, as pacer Barry McCarthy removed both overnight batsmen in quick succession at the Sylhet International Stadium today.

Resuming the day at 338 for 1, the hosts were looking to build on their dominant position, but Ireland struck early to shift the momentum.

Bangladesh opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who had crafted a magnificent career-best 169, could add only two runs to his overnight tally. McCarthy delivered a beauty in his first over — a short-of-length ball with a hint of movement outside off. Joy tentatively poked at it, managing only a thin edge to the keeper. A perfect start for Ireland, who desperately needed early breakthroughs.

Soon after, Mominul Haque followed his partner back to the pavilion. Resuming on 80, he too added just a couple before  McCarthy produced another gem — one that leapt off the surface and caught Mominul by surprise. Squared up completely, the left-hander could only edge it to the slips, departing in disbelief.

Both set batters gone within minutes — a mood-lifting start for Ireland, who clawed their way back into contention after being on the back foot for much of the previous day.