Bangladesh fought back with quick wickets after lunch to check Ireland’s early momentum on the opening day of the Sylhet Test on Monday.
At lunch, Ireland were comfortably placed on 94 for 1, but two strikes in successive overs — from pacer Nahid Rana and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz — dragged the visitors back to 101 for 3.
Paul Stirling, who looked in command during the morning session, finally fell for 60 after being dropped twice by the Bangladesh fielders.
Nahid Rana found his outside edge, and Shadman Islam made no mistake this time at slip. Just an over later, Mehidy Hasan trapped Harry Tector leg-before for 1, shifting the momentum Bangladesh’s way.
Earlier, Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie fell for a duck in the very first over, trapped lbw by Hasan Mahmud, before Stirling and debutant Cade Carmichael steadied the innings with a 94-run stand.
Stirling’s fifty came off just 61 balls with eight boundaries, marking his second half-century in Tests.
Bangladesh’s fielding, however, remained a concern — three catches were dropped in as many overs during the morning.
Both Stirling and Carmichael benefitted from the lapses, but the hosts made amends soon after lunch.
Bangladesh’s bowling attack — featuring two pacers and three spinners — appeared well-balanced on a pitch offering some bounce and turn. Debutant left-arm spinner Hasan Murad bowled a tidy spell, while Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan were steady from the other end.
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