Mushfiqur ends Day 1 on 99 not out in 100th Test

Mushfiqur Rahim was one run away from becoming the 11th batter in history to hit a century on their 100th Test before running out of time on the opening day as Bangladesh reached 292-4 at stumps on Day 1 of the second Test against Ireland in Mirpur on Wednesday.

Mushfiqur, unbeaten on 99, will resume the proceedings on Day 2 alongside Litton Das, who is batting on 47, to reach the milestone.

Earlier, the day belonged to Bangladesh's batters with Mushfiqur, playing in his 100th Test as the first Bangladeshi, leading the charge in an innings that displayed every ounce of his experience.

Right-arm off-spinner Andy McBrine was the only Irish bowler to taste success, picking all four wickets that fell on the day. 

The Tigers lost just the one wicket in the last session, after resuming play on 192-3 after tea, losing Mominul Haque on 63. Mushfiqur and Litton then put together an unbeaten 90-run stand that has put the hosts in the driving seat at the end of the first day.

Mominul, Mushfiqur dig Bangladesh out of trouble

Mominul Haque hit a half-century while Mushfiqur Rahim was approaching one as Bangladesh went through the entire second session on the first day of the Dhaka Test against Ireland without losing a wicket, reaching 192 for three at tea. 

Mominul was batting 62 off 105 deliveries while Mushfiqur, playing in his 100th Test, was unbeaten on 48 off 108 deliveries. Both batters had reprieves but managed to stitch an unbroken 97-run partnership in 34.2 overs as the hosts started dominating.

Their unbroken stand came after Bangladesh had lost three quick wickets in the first session, having opted to bat in Mirpur. Mahmudul Hasan (34), Shadman Islam (35) and Nahmul Hossain Shanto (8) were the ones to get dismissed -- all three by off-spinner Andy McBrine

.........

Bangladesh's bright start has dimmed in the space of 11 overs, with both openers back in the hut and Ireland firmly clawing their way into the morning session of the second Test in Mirpur on Wednesday.

From cruising on 52 without loss to 100 for three in 31 overs at lunch, the Tigers will feel they have let a position of early control slip.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy, who had been grinding through a spell of sustained pressure, finally blinked. After 75 boundary-less balls, he charged Andy McBrine in an attempt to break the shackles but only managed to miscue a lofted drive. The bat twisted in his hands, and substitute fielder Barry McCarthy settled under it. The centurion and Player of the Match of the first Test – which Bangladesh won by an innings and 47 runs – Joy departed for a hard-earned 34, with the Tigers on 83 for two.

Shadman Islam had fallen earlier for a brisk 35, ending a 52-run opening stand – following a 150-plus partnership from the first Test in Sylhet – and Bangladesh's period of relative calm, undone by a peach from McBrine that spun sharply, struck him in line, and overturned the on-field call on review.

The slide continued with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's dismissal, as McBrine struck again. After launching the off-spinner for six the previous ball, Shanto misread one that skidded on straight, leaving a gap between bat and pad. The ball pierced through and clipped off stump, sending the skipper back for eight and reducing Bangladesh to 95 for three in 27.4 overs.

Mominul Haque (13*) now holds the innings together, joined by Mushfiqur Rahim, who walks in for his landmark 100th Test appearance. On a surface already offering encouragement to Ireland's spinners, Bangladesh will hope the veteran can steady things again.

The morning remains evenly poised, but the initiative has swung.

Tigers to bat first in Mushfiqur's 100th Test

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat in the second Test of the two-match series against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

The match is a momentous one as Bangladesh veteran Mushfiqur Rahim steps into his 100th Test for the country, becoming the first from the country to do so.

The hosts have made two changes as pacers Nahid Rana and Hasan Mahmud made way for Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, and Hasan Murad make up the spin trio in Bangladesh's five bowler attack. 

Meanwhile, Gavin Hoey has come in for Craig Young in the Ireland XI. 

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has arranged a short pre-game ceremony to mark Mushfiqur's milestone. It will feature several activities, including the presentation of special memorabilia for the 38-year-old.

Read more

Century of Tests: Mushfiqur Rahim receives special honour

"Congtratulations! Brilliant achievement for you and the family. Always enjoyed playing with you. I wanted to follow you and took inspiration from you. Hope you continue to play for long. Everyone talks about your madness on the field and hardwork, but importantly, you play for the team and not for individual milestones. That is inspiring for all of us and every youngster who wants to play Test cricket," current Bangladesh Test skipper Shanto said during the ceremony today.  

Bangladesh: 1 Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 2 Shadman Islam, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Litton Das (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Ebadot Hossain, 10 Khaled Ahmed, 11 Hasan Murad

Ireland: 1 Andy Balbirnie (capt), 2 Paul Stirling, 3 Cade Carmichael, 4 Harry Tector, 5 Curtis Campher, 6 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 7 Stephen Doheny, 8 Andy McBrine, 9 Jordan Neill, 10 Matthew Humphreys, 11 Gavin Hoey

Bangladesh lead the series 1-0, thanks to a victory by an innings and 47 runs in the first match in Sylhet last week.