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Taijul Islam’s four-for and half-centuries from openers Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan further strengthened Bangladesh’s position in the second Test against Ireland after the completion of the third day at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur on Friday. 

The hosts were 156-1 and took 367-run lead in the second innings at the stumps, as Shadman Islam was batting on 69 with Mominul Haque 19 after Ireland were all out for 265 in the first innings. 

Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan started brightly after the hosts decided against enforcing the follow-on despite having a lead of 211 runs. 

Mahmudul, who survived in the first over, was shaky at the beginning but started to find his rhythm as Bangladesh added 41 runs in seven overs before the tea.

The openers continued to dominate the final session, as both were approaching at the same rate. Mahmudul reached his fifty in 75 balls, while Shadman needed 76 balls. 

However, Mahmudul’s stay was ended by Hoey when he trapped lbw the Bangladesh opener, who made 60 off 91 balls with six fours. After a lengthy discussion with his partner, Mahmudul opted not to review. 

Mominul and Shadman then saw out the remainder of the session to put Bangladesh further ahead. 

Earlier, after resuming the day at 98-5, still 178 runs away from avoiding the follow-on, Lorcan Tucker led Ireland as he added two 70-plus partnerships with Stephen Doheny and Jordan Neill, respectively. 

Tucker’s partnership with Doheny lasted for 25 overs, where they added 81 runs. 

Taijul Islam then got Bangladesh on track soon after the three-minute delay caused by the earthquake that hit the country, when he struck twice in the space of three deliveries.

Stephen Doheny—who made 46 and added 81 runs with Tucker—and Andy McBrine were both bowled by two extraordinary deliveries.  

However, Tucker, who reached his fifty in 104 balls, continued to hold the fort as he added a further 74-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Neill. This was Ireland’s highest eighth-wicket partnership. 

Ebadot Hossain broke that stand as Neill was caught at cover while being only one run shy of his maiden Test fifty. Khaled then had Gavin Hoey before Taijul finished things off with the wicket of Humphreys to equal Shakib Al Hasan in the record of highest wickets (246) for Bangladesh.

The left-arm spinner finished with a figure of four for 76 runs, equalled Shakib al Hasan’s tally of 246 Test wickets. The pace duo of Ebadot and Khaled Ahmed each took two wickets, while Hasan Murad and Mehidy Hasan Miraz took one apiece.