Openers lay solid platform as Bangladesh build big lead
Bangladesh were in a completely dominant position at the end of the second day's play of the second Test against Ireland in Mirpur on Friday with a 367-run lead with nine second innings wickets left.
The hosts, up 1-0 in the two-match series, were 156 for one at stumps, with Shadman Islam batting on 69 alongside Mominul Haque on 19.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Shadman and Mahmudul Hasan Joy (60 off 91) earlier posted a century opening stand -- the second for Bangladesh in this series. This was overall the third century opening partnership for Bangladesh this year, the most in a calendar year for the Tigers.
Although Gavin Hoey managed to dismiss Joy, he was expensive, going at almost five runs an over. In fact, Bangladesh were scoring at 4.08 runs per over in this innings.
Shadman was in cruise control while Momimul was in a fluent mood as well as he raced to 19 off 21 deliveries.
Joy-Shadman opening stand flourishes again
The second session on Day 3 of the Mirpur Test came to a close with Bangladesh firmly in control of the Test. After bowling out Ireland for 265 earlier in the day, the hosts moved to 41 without loss in just seven overs, extending their lead to 252 runs on Friday.
Openers Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy showed clear attacking intent in the brief period before tea. Shadman reached 18 off 19 balls with three boundaries, while Joy was on 23 off 23 deliveries, also striking four fours, as Bangladesh looked to push the scoring rate and consolidate their dominance at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
The pair have enjoyed a productive series together. They compiled a 52-run stand in the first innings of this Test, and in the preceding Sylhet match they put on 168 for the first wicket -- Bangladesh's fourth-highest opening partnership in Tests.
Taijul joins Shakib at the top as visitors fall short of follow-on mark
Ireland were bowled out for 265 in their first innings on Day 3 in Mirpur, falling well short of the 277 required to avoid the follow on. Lorcan Tucker top-scored with an unbeaten 75, but the visitors lost their final three wickets for just 16 runs after lunch.
The home side, however, have avoided enforcing follow on.
Jordan Neill, who resumed on 26, played with composure before falling for 49 shortly after the interval. He was undone by a short delivery from Ebadot Hossain, edging to Mominul Haque at cover to leave Ireland 249 for eight.
Gavin Hoey (4) was the next to depart, edging Khaled Ahmed behind to Litton Das with the score on 256.
The innings ended in the 89th over when Matthew Humphreys (4) attempted a reverse sweep off Taijul Islam and picked out backward point. Ireland were dismissed for 265, handing Taijul figures of four for the innings. The left-arm spinner now joins Shakib Al Hasan as Bangladesh's joint-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 246 scalps.
Taijul pegs back Ireland after earthquake halt
Bangladesh's Taijul Islam struck twice in the space of three deliveries to reduce Ireland to 211-7 at lunch on Day 3 of the second Test in Mirpur on Friday, with the visitors still trailing the hosts by 265 runs.
Before the quick wickets, play was halted for around three minutes after an earthquake that jolted Dhaka and other parts of the country.
Soon after the interruption, Taijul broke the 81-run sixth wicket stand by bowling out Stephen Doheny for 46 with a ball that turned sharply.
Two balls later, the left-arm spinner went through the defences of Andy McBrine, bowling him out for a duck.
Lorcan Tucker, on the other end, withstood the pressure, completed his fourth Test half-century and went into the break on 56 alongside Jordan Neill, who is on 26.
Ireland need 66 more runs to avoid follow on.
Tucker, Doheny lead Ireland's fight back
Bangladesh have failed to make any inroads in he first hour of play on Day 3 as Ireland's overnight batters Lorcan Tucker and Stephen Doheny have completed a half-century stand and have taken the total to 162-5 after 38 overs in the second Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.
Ireland had resumed their first innings on 98-5 with Tucker and Doheny unbeaten on 11 and two respectively. After facing 16 overs in the first hour, Doheny has moved on to 41 while Tucker is unbeaten on 36.
The duo started cautiously but gradually grew in confidence and started hitting boundaries. They completed the 50-run stand off 87 balls and have increased their partnership tally to 72 runs till now.
Bangladesh have tried out all three of their frontline spinners in Taijul Islam, Hasan Murad and Mehidy Hasan Miraz and also pacer Ebadot Hossain, but have been unable to break the stand.
The hosts are still ahead by 314 runs after having posted 476 in their first innings.
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