Bangladesh Crushes Ireland by Innings and 47 Runs in Historic Sylhet Test Debut

The Bangladesh Cricket Board delivered a statement win on home soil, as Bangladesh demolished Ireland by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test of their two-match series at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on November 14, 2025. It wasn’t just a win—it was a declaration. Bangladesh didn’t just outplay Ireland; they buried them under a mountain of runs, with opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy smashing his maiden Test century and the debutant bowler Hasan Murad ripping through the Irish batting with 4 wickets on his first day in Test cricket. The result? Bangladesh now leads the head-to-head Test record 1-0 against Ireland—a milestone few expected so decisively.

Day One: Ireland’s Fragile Foundation

When Paul Stirling won the toss and chose to bat on a sun-drenched November morning, Ireland’s fans dared to hope. But hope quickly turned to anxiety. The Irish top order collapsed like a house of cards, losing three wickets for just 48 runs before Stirling himself, top-scoring with a gritty 60 off 76 balls, was bowled by Mehidy Hasan Miraz—who finished with 3 for 50. By stumps on Day 1, Ireland was 270 for 8, clinging on. The debutants—Cade Carmichael and Jordan Neill—looked nervous, and the middle order, typically Ireland’s strength, failed to fire. The scoreboard told the story: 286 all out in 92.2 overs. A total that, on paper, looked competitive. In reality, it was a gift wrapped in red tape.

Bangladesh’s Batting Avalanche

Here’s the thing: Bangladesh didn’t just respond—they obliterated. Mahmudul Hasan Joy walked in at 32 for 1 and played the innings of his life: 171 runs off 286 balls, with 18 fours and a single six. He batted for over six hours, absorbing pressure and punishing loose deliveries. His partnership with Najmul Hossain Shanto (79) added 192 runs, turning the match on its head. When Bangladesh declared at 587 for 8 in 141 overs, the scoreboard had shifted from “possible draw” to “inevitable humiliation.”

And credit where it’s due: Matthew Humphreys stood tall for Ireland. His 5 for 170 in 43 overs wasn’t just the first five-wicket haul by an Irish bowler against Bangladesh in Test cricket—it was a beacon of resilience. He bowled with line, length, and grit, but even his brilliance couldn’t stop the avalanche. The rest of the Irish attack looked exposed, particularly against Joy’s calm authority and the late aggression from Tamim Iqbal (48*) and Mushfiqur Rahim (32).

Second Innings: The Final Nail

When Ireland resumed on Day 4, they were already 301 runs behind. The hope was survival. What followed was surrender. Hasan Murad, the 21-year-old paceman making his Test debut, turned the screws with a fiery 4 for 60 in just 14 overs. His yorkers, swing, and pace on a wearing pitch were too much. Andy McBrine, who’d fought hard with 52, became his fourth victim. The Irish innings folded in 70.2 overs—254 all out. The margin? An innings and 47 runs. Bangladesh had won their first-ever Test against Ireland.

Historical Context: A Long Road to Victory

It’s easy to forget that this was only Bangladesh’s second Test match against Ireland. In 2023, in Dhaka, Ireland had fought back from 51 for 5 in their second innings, thanks to a stunning 108 from debutant wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker. That match ended in a draw—a moment of Irish pride. But this? This was different. The Bangladesh team has matured. The pitches are harder. The bowling attack is deeper. And the confidence? Unshakeable.

Cricket Ireland had requested a reduced schedule before the tour—cutting one ODI and one Test to focus on T20Is. That decision, while practical, may have signaled a lack of belief in their Test credentials. Bangladesh, on the other hand, treated this as a statement series. The Bangladesh Cricket Board had confirmed the fixtures in September 2025, and every player seemed to know this was their chance to etch their names into history.

What’s Next? Rahim’s Century and the Dhaka Showdown

The second Test begins November 19 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka—and it’s already historic before a ball is bowled. Mushfiqur Rahim will become the first Bangladeshi to play 100 Test matches. He’s the backbone of this team, the quiet captain who’s seen it all. And Litton Das, the explosive opener, is just 47 runs away from 3,000 Test runs. If he reaches it, he’ll be the second-fastest Bangladeshi to do so after Shakib Al Hasan.

For Ireland? The tour continues with three T20Is in December. But the Test loss will linger. They’re still a team in transition. And Bangladesh? They’re no longer just a team with potential. They’re a force.