Bangladesh delivered a commanding performance to defeat Ireland by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test of the 2025 tour, wrapping up the match on November 14 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. The win wasn’t just a result—it was a statement. Bangladesh, playing their 100th Test as a nation, showed why they’ve become a force at home, while Ireland, despite gritty resistance, were outclassed across all departments. The match, which began at 9:30 AM BST on November 11, ended in just four days, with Bangladesh Cricket Board officials calling it a "perfect showcase of home advantage and depth."
From Toss to Total: A One-Sided Battle
Ireland won the toss and chose to bat, a decision that looked sensible on paper but unraveled under pressure. Their first innings of 286 in 92.2 overs was never really in contention. Mahmudul Hasan Joy, playing his 12th Test, smashed a career-best 171 off 286 balls—his first century beyond 150—and anchored Bangladesh’s reply. By the time Bangladesh declared at 587/8 in 141 overs, the writing was on the wall. Matthew Humphreys took 5/170 for Ireland, a heroic effort on a wearing pitch, but it wasn’t enough. The Irish batting lineup, missing experience and composure, collapsed twice under the weight of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Murad, who took 4/60 in the second innings.
Debutants and Milestones: A New Chapter
This match was historic for both sides. Hasan Murad, a 22-year-old pace bowler from Rangpur, became Bangladesh’s 114th Test debutant, delivering a match-winning spell with his raw pace and bounce. For Ireland, Cade Carmichael and Jordan Neill made their Test debuts, joining the exclusive club of Irishmen to play Test cricket. It was the first time since 2018 that Ireland had introduced two new players in a single Test. The crowd in Sylhet, estimated at over 18,000 across four days, roared for every boundary and wicket—especially when Nazmul Hossain Shanto reached his 50, his 12th in Tests and a quiet signal of Bangladesh’s growing leadership depth.
Why This Matters: The Rise of Bangladesh at Home
Bangladesh now leads the head-to-head Test record against Ireland 1-0, after their first-ever meeting in 2023 in Dhaka, which they won by 155 runs. That match, too, saw a debutant century—Tucker’s 108 as wicketkeeper-batsman—highlighting how rare and precious Irish Test centuries remain. But this time, Bangladesh didn’t just win. They dominated. Their 587-run total was their highest against Ireland, and their 4-fer in both innings by Miraz and Murad showed a bowling attack that’s no longer reliant on spin alone. The home side’s average Test score at Sylhet since 2018? 378. This innings was 209 runs above that.
What’s Next? The Series Shifts to Dhaka—and Beyond
The second Test begins November 19 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, where Mushfiqur Rahim will become the first Bangladeshi to play 100 Tests. Litton Das will also hit 3,000 Test runs, making this a landmark fixture. But here’s the twist: the original plan included three ODIs. Cricket Ireland, citing player workload and scheduling conflicts with their domestic season, requested their removal. The Bangladesh Cricket Board agreed. So now, after the second Test, the teams will play three T20Is—two in Chattogram on November 27 and 29, and the finale in Dhaka on December 2.
It’s a smaller series, yes. But more focused. And for Ireland, it’s a chance to rebuild. For Bangladesh, it’s a chance to cement their status as a Test powerhouse at home—where they’ve won 14 of their last 17 matches since 2021.
Historical Context: A Tale of Two Teams
Before this series, Bangladesh and Ireland had played just one Test match—back in 2023, also in Dhaka. Ireland lost by 155 runs, and Tucker’s century was the only highlight. In ODIs, Bangladesh has won 11 of 16 matches. In T20Is, they’ve won 5 of 8. The gap isn’t just in results—it’s in infrastructure, domestic competition depth, and international exposure. Ireland’s players often juggle professional contracts in county cricket. Bangladesh’s top players train full-time in Dhaka’s elite academies. That difference showed in Sylhet.
Still, Ireland’s resilience was commendable. Paul Stirling’s 60 in the first innings, Andy McBrine’s gritty 52 in the second—they kept the scoreboard moving. But when the pressure came, the Irish batting, without a single player with over 20 Test caps, cracked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the highest in Bangladesh’s first innings, and why was it significant?
Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored 171 runs, his maiden Test century beyond 150 and the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi against Ireland. It was his career-best, coming in his 12th Test, and helped Bangladesh post their highest total against Ireland. He also became the 11th Bangladeshi to score a 150+ in Tests, reinforcing his place in the top order.
Which players made their Test debuts in this match, and what’s unusual about Ireland’s debutants?
Hasan Murad (Bangladesh), Cade Carmichael, and Jordan Neill (Ireland) all debuted. What’s unusual is that Ireland introduced two debutants in the same Test for the first time since 2018. Carmichael, a 21-year-old all-rounder, and Neill, a pace bowler, both came from provincial cricket—highlighting Ireland’s ongoing challenge to develop a consistent Test pipeline.
Why were the ODIs removed from the schedule?
Cricket Ireland requested the removal of the three ODIs to reduce player workload and align with their domestic calendar, which includes the Inter-Provincial Series. The Bangladesh Cricket Board agreed, opting for a shorter, more intense series focused on Test cricket and T20Is—prioritizing quality over quantity as both teams prepare for the 2026 World Test Championship cycle.
What milestone will Mushfiqur Rahim reach in the second Test?
Mushfiqur Rahim will become the first Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100 Test matches, joining an elite group of 35 players worldwide who’ve reached that mark. He’s also the third wicketkeeper in cricket history to play 100 Tests, after Adam Gilchrist and MS Dhoni. His presence brings veteran leadership to a team still evolving under younger captains like Shanto.
How does this result compare to Bangladesh’s previous home performances?
Bangladesh has won 14 of their last 17 home Tests since 2021, with an average margin of victory of 182 runs. This innings win by 47 runs is actually one of their tighter victories—most have been by over 200 runs. But the significance lies in the bowling depth: Miraz and Murad combined for 7 wickets, showing they’re no longer reliant on one spinner. This match proves they can win with pace and spin in tandem.
What’s the historical record between Bangladesh and Ireland across formats?
In Tests: Bangladesh leads 1-0. In ODIs: 16 matches played, Bangladesh 11 wins, Ireland 2 wins, 3 no-results. In T20Is: 8 matches, Bangladesh 5 wins, Ireland 2 wins, 1 no-result. The gap is widest in ODIs, where Bangladesh has dominated since 2015. Ireland’s only real success came in the 2017 T20 World Cup qualifiers, but they’ve lost all four bilateral T20Is since 2020.
