Mushfiqur Rahim’s historic hundred, followed by Litton Das’ 128, put Bangladesh in firm control at the end of the second day’s play of the second and final Test against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday.Ìý
Ireland were 98-5 and trailing by 378 runs in the first innings at the stumps of the second day in reply to Bangladesh’s first innings total of 476.
Lorcan Tucker was batting on 11 with Stephen Doheny on two, who saw out the last 4.5 overs of the day.Ìý
Khaled Ahmed broke Ireland’s opening stand of 41 runs when his inducker trapped Paul Stirling in front.Ìý
Spinners then came into the fray as Hasan Murad’s two excellent deliveries removed Andy Balbirnie and Curtis Campher. The Ireland skipper was caught at slip after his inside edge ricocheted off his pad, while Campher was bamboozled by a classic off-spinning delivery.Ìý
In between those, Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s quicker was enough to trap Cade Carmichael in front. Then came Taijul Islam, who had Harry Tector lbw to keep Ireland reeling.Ìý
Earlier, Mushfiq—who had been 99 not out overnight—brought up his much-anticipated hundred in his 100th Test in the ninth ball of the day, after conceding seven dots on the trot, by taking a single through the leg side off Jordan Neill.
He became only the 11th batter in history to hit a hundred in their 100th Test. Litton also brought up his fifty in the same over as Bangladesh looked to put Ireland under pressure early in the day.Ìý
However, a length ball which bounced off the length surprised Mushfiq as he edged it to the second slip, where Andrew Balbirnie pouched a good catch, diving to his right.
Mushfiq made 106 off 214, where he hit five boundaries—the second lowest in his career where he scored a hundred.Ìý
Mushfiq’s wicket remained as the sole success of the visitors in the session as Litton continued to guide the hosts with the help of Mehidy.
The wicketkeeper-batter reached his fifth—the last since August last year—hundred in 158 balls with a four off debutant Gavin Hoey through a sweep. Ireland were disciplined with their bowling for the most part, but Bangladesh managed 95 runs in the session with the loss of Mushfiq.Ìý
Litton and Mehidy were looking to accelerate in the second session and, in doing so, fell in the space of three deliveries.Ìý
Mehidy became Gavin Hoey’s maiden Test victim when he was caught at point three shy of his fifty.
Litton, who survived earlier via a successful review to overturn an lbw call, finally fell when he attempted a big slog against Matthew Humphreys after making 128 off 192 with eight fours and four sixes.Ìý
Ebadot Hossain put on some late blitz before Bangladesh were all out in 141.1 overs.Ìý
Andy McBrine, who finished with four-for on the first day, had Hasan Murad and Khaled Ahmed to complete the second six-for in his career, with both of those coming at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.Ìý
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