Spinners strike back in Sylhet

Bangladesh ended the opening day of their first Test against Ireland with massive smiles and applause from the dugout after their spinners engineered a superb comeback in the final session in Sylhet, leaving the visitors 270 for eight at stumps on Tuesday.

The hosts delivered am impressive bowling performance after Tea, seizing four crucial wickets to derail the visiting side. Ireland, who were cruising at 203-4, were suddenly pegged back by the relentless spin attack of the trio Taijul Islam, Hasan Murad and Mehedi Hasan Miraz -- the latter took the highest three wickets on the day.

Debutant spinner Murad struck the key blows, first breaking a threatening 53-run partnership between Curtis Campher (44) and Lorcan Tucker (41). Murad removed both batters in quick succession, triggering a collapse that saw Ireland fall to 222-7.

The day concluded dramatically as Taijul Islam dismissed Jordan Neill (30) with the very final ball of the day; his first wicket securing a psychological advantage for the Tigers heading into the second day. 

Carmichael's debut half-century drives Ireland 

Ireland lost three wickets in the afternoon session, but all the spotlight was grabbed by debutant Cade Carmichael. 

The right-handed batter scored 59 runs of 129 balls to take the visitors posted 184 for four after the opening two sessions of play in Sylhet on Tuesday.

Carmichael's brilliant knock came to an end when Najmul Hossain Shanto caught him at slips, diving forward after the batter was judged to have made slight contact with the ball while trying a reverse-sweep against Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

He was given not-out by the on-field umpire, but on review, the third umpire ruled him out after having a long look. The batter looked pretty disappointed with the decision.

The hosts, meanwhile, continued fumbling as Shanto, the skipper himself, dropped the next man, Lorcan Tucker, on 11. It was the fourth dropped chance of the innings and all four pretty straight-forward ones. The unfortunate bowler, on this occasion, was debutant Hasan Murad.

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Bangladesh endured a frustrating opening hour in the first Test against Ireland at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium today, as three dropped catches overshadowed an impressive early breakthrough from pacer Hasan Mahmud.

Paul Stirling and Cade Carmichael made full use of the dropped chances as Ireland went to lunch at 94 for 1 after 26 overs. Stirling was unbeaten on 58, while Carmichael was on 30.

After losing the toss, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto saw his side put in to bowl first, and Hasan struck early, removing Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie for a duck.

It was a fiery full delivery that jagged back in sharply and kept a touch low, thudding into Balbirnie's back leg.

However, what followed was a series of squandered opportunities that left Bangladesh ruing their luck and execution.

First, Shadman Islam at second slip dropped Paul Stirling, a regulation chance around shin height off another delivery that shaped away. The frustration on the bowlers' faces told the story of the morning.

Not long after, Taijul Islam failed to hold on to a low pull from Carmichael off Hasan Mahmud. The ball appeared to just brush his fingertips — or perhaps even reach him on the half-volley — but Taijul too ended up hurt, his right hand bleeding as he walked off.

Then came the third heartbreak — Mehidy Hasan Miraz put down a sharp chance at gully off Nahid Rana, diving to his right as Stirling edged one. Worse still, Mehidy injured his little finger in the attempt and had to leave the field for treatment.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto celebrate the dismissal of Ireland debutant Cade Carmichael. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

Tigers to bowl first 

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto lost the toss as the Tigers were put to bowl in the first Test of the two-match series against Ireland at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. 

The hosts handed a debut to left-arm spinner Hasan Murad, meaning he makes up a spin trio also involving Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, meanwhile, make up the pace attack. 

Bangladesh veteran Mushfiqur Rahim is playing in his 99th match as he gears up to reach the century mark in the second Test in Mirpur. Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy slots in at the top of the order alongside Shadman Islam. Mominul Haque plays at three, meaning the skipper bats down at four, with Litton Das and Miraz forming up the lower-middle order.  

As for the visitors, middle-order batter Jordan Neill, at 19, becomes Ireland's youngest ever Test debutant. Top-order batter Cade Carmichael has also been handed his Test cap. 

Bangladesh XI: Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Hasan Murad

Ireland XI: A Balbirnie (capt), PR Stirling, C Carmichael, HT Tector, C Campher, LJ Tucker (wk), J Neill, AR McBrine, BJ McCarthy, MJ Humphreys, CA Young