Murad, Mahmudul and Shanto lead Bangladesh to innings win over Ireland in Sylhet Test
Bangladesh crushed Ireland by an innings and 47 runs on the fourth day of their first Test in Sylhet, wrapping up the match before lunch on the Ireland-Bangladesh Test series openerSylhet International Cricket Stadium—a result that felt inevitable by midday Saturday, November 16, 2025. The win, Bangladesh’s 24th in Test cricket, wasn’t just about dominance—it was about emergence. Debutant left-arm spinner Hasan Murad, just 24, took 4 for 60 to dismantle Ireland’s second innings, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy laid the foundation with centuries that turned the match on its head. This wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement. And it came on a pitch that, by day four, had begun to turn like a spinning top.
Building a Fortress: Bangladesh’s Batting Masterclass
It started with the bat. After Ireland posted 286 in their first innings—thanks largely to Paul Stirling’s 43 and Andy McBrine’s gritty 52—Bangladesh didn’t just respond. They overwhelmed. Mahmudul Hasan Joy batted for over seven hours, carving out 171, his career-best, with eight boundaries and a calmness that belied his recent injury layoff. His opening partner, Najmul Hossain Shanto, added 100 of his own, his eighth Test century and fourth as captain, tying Mushfiqur Rahim’s record for most tons as Bangladesh skipper. The middle order didn’t just support—they exploded. Shadman Islam (80), Mominul Haque (80), and Liton Das (60) all reached fifties, turning what could’ve been a decent total into a crushing 587 for 8 declared. The scoreboard didn’t just rise—it screamed.
Spin Turns the Tide: Murad’s Arrival
When Ireland came back out to bat again, down 301 runs, the pitch had aged like fine wine—cracked, dusty, and hungry for turn. And Hasan Murad was the sommelier. His first wicket, a crisp delivery that clipped the off-stump of Andy Balbirnie for 38, set the tone. Then came the drama: McBrine survived two DRS reviews in one over from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the ball clipping leg stump both times. But the umpire’s call stood—until Murad got him. On the second ball after lunch, McBrine pulled a short one straight to midwicket, where Murad took a sharp catch. The crowd roared. The scoreboard flickered: 238 for 7. The end was near.
Taijul Islam, the veteran, finished with 3 for 84, including the final wicket—Barry McCarthy, caught at slip. Murad’s 4 for 60 wasn’t just numbers; it was proof. He’d waited years for this stage. In first-class cricket, he’d been consistent. Here, on the biggest stage, he was lethal. "He’s shown what a quality and exciting bowler he is," said Shanto afterward. "He’s ready. And we need him."
Ireland’s Fight, and Its Limits
It wasn’t all one-way traffic. Matthew Humphreys, Ireland’s lone bright spot, took 5 for 170—his second five-wicket haul in two Tests. He bowled with grit, especially early on day four, overturning a lbw decision via DRS in the opening over. But his efforts were like trying to hold back a tide with a sieve. McBrine and Balbirnie added 66 for the seventh wicket, offering the only real resistance. Jordan Neil’s 36 and McCarthy’s 25 added a late flourish, but the damage was done. Ireland’s 254 was never enough. Not on this pitch. Not against this attack.
The challenge for Ireland? Adaptation. They’ve been improving, but subcontinental conditions still bite. The humidity, the slow turn, the pressure—all of it exposed gaps in their technique. Balbirnie, the captain, admitted after the match: "We didn’t play the conditions well enough. We got ourselves into holes and couldn’t climb out."
What This Means for the Series—and Beyond
This win extends Bangladesh’s remarkable home record against non-Asian teams. Since 2020, they’ve won 11 of their last 14 home Tests. Sylhet, with its humid air and crumbling surface, has become their fortress. And now, with Murad joining Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, their spin trio looks fearsome. The second Test begins November 21, same venue. Ireland will need more than hope. They’ll need a revolution.
For Bangladesh, this isn’t just about points in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship—though they’re now firmly in the race. It’s about identity. They’re no longer just a team that survives on spin. They’re a team that dominates with it. Joy, Shanto, Murad—they’re not just players. They’re symbols of a new generation stepping up.
Behind the Numbers
- Bangladesh’s 587 for 8 declared was their highest Test total against Ireland.
- Hasan Murad became the first Bangladesh debutant spinner to take four wickets in a Test innings since Taijul Islam in 2018.
- Shanto’s 100 was his 17th Test fifty—more than any other Bangladesh captain in history.
- Matthew Humphreys’ 5 for 170 is the best bowling figures by an Irishman in Bangladesh.
- Only two Tests in Sylhet have ended in under four days since the stadium opened in 2018—both won by Bangladesh.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Hasan Murad’s performance change Bangladesh’s spin strategy?
Murad’s 4 for 60 in his Test debut proved Bangladesh now has a reliable third spinner alongside Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. His left-arm angle, combined with his ability to extract turn from flat surfaces, gives the team flexibility—especially on slow pitches like Sylhet’s. He’s no longer a backup; he’s a cornerstone, allowing the team to rotate spinners without losing pressure. This could mean fewer fast-bowling overs in future home Tests.
Why did Ireland struggle so much on the Sylhet pitch?
Ireland’s batsmen, used to faster, bouncier pitches in Europe, struggled to adjust to the low bounce and late turn. Their footwork was often too slow, and their defensive technique broke down under pressure. Unlike teams from South Asia, they rarely play on deteriorating pitches, making their adaptation slower. Even their DRS challenges—like McBrine’s two near-misses—highlighted how hard it was to read the ball’s trajectory off the surface.
What’s the significance of Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s 171?
Joy’s 171 wasn’t just his career-best—it was his first Test century since returning from a shoulder injury in 2024. His calm, patient innings showed he’s now a dependable opener, filling the void left by the retired Tamim Iqbal. With 171, he became the third Bangladeshi opener to score a century against Ireland, and his partnership with Shanto (194 runs) was the highest opening stand for Bangladesh in a home Test since 2021.
How does this result affect Bangladesh’s World Test Championship chances?
Bangladesh now has 18.75 points from this Test win, boosting their position in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship standings. They’re currently 7th, but with two Tests left against Ireland and upcoming home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, a win in the second Test could push them into the top five. A top-five finish would secure a spot in the 2025 WTC Final at Lord’s—a goal they’ve never reached.
What’s the history of Test cricket between Bangladesh and Ireland?
This was only the third Test series between the two teams. Bangladesh swept both Tests in Ireland in 2023, winning by 8 wickets in Dublin and 10 wickets in Belfast. Ireland’s only Test win against Bangladesh came in 2018 in Mirpur, by 7 wickets. Since then, Bangladesh has won all five Tests played between them, including this one. The gap in experience, especially on home soil, has widened dramatically.
What’s next for Bangladesh’s team after this win?
The second Test starts November 21 at the same venue, with Bangladesh likely to keep the same XI. Murad is expected to retain his spot, and there’s talk of promoting Towhid Hridoy to No. 6 for more batting depth. Meanwhile, Ireland may bring in young all-rounder Graham Kennedy to bolster their batting. But the real question: Can they survive another four-day Test on a pitch that’s already broken three top-order batsmen?
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