Ireland hosted Bangladesh for a one-off Test match at Dublin's Malahide Cricket Club Ground in the 2022/23 season. It was the first Test match between the two teams in four years. The five-day game was expected to be an exciting contest between two closely-matched sides. This article will provide a detailed match report, including a brief overview of the team's lineups, highlights, and analysis of the game's crucial moments.

Overview


The Malahide Cricket Club Ground was bathed in sunshine as Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first. Ireland's captain, Andrew Balbirnie, welcomed his counterpart, Mominul Haque, and his team onto the field. Bangladesh was off to a rocky start, losing their first wicket in the very first over of the match. However, the visitors' top-order batsmen displayed a strong resilience, holding their own against the Irish bowlers.

Day One

Bangladesh started well with opener Shadman Islam and experienced middle-order batsman Shakib Al Hasan steadying the innings. The duo put on an impressive partnership of 102 runs for the second wicket before Shadman was caught behind by wicket-keeper Neil Rock off the bowling of Craig Young. Shakib Al Hasan continued his brilliant form and scored his 29th Test fifty before he was dismissed by spinner George Dockrell for 61. The Bangladesh captain, Mominul Haque, and middle-order batsman Mushfiqur Rahim added another 77 runs before Haque fell to Dockrell for 33.

Rahim remained unbeaten on 80, and Bangladesh ended the day at 246/6, with Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz at the crease.

Day Two

Bangladesh's lower-order batsmen continued to contribute to their team's total on Day Two. Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz put on a crucial partnership of 98 runs for the seventh wicket before Islam was dismissed by spinner Simi Singh for a well-made 56. Mehidy Hasan Miraz continued his aggressive approach and scored a valuable 84 off just 75 deliveries. His innings included ten fours and two sixes.

Bangladesh was finally bowled out for 406, with Simi Singh and George Dockrell taking three wickets apiece. Ireland's openers, Paul Stirling and William Porterfield, survived two overs before stumps on Day Two.

Day Three

Ireland started Day Three on a shaky note, losing Paul Stirling in the very first over. William Porterfield and Andrew Balbirnie tried to steady the ship, but they were soon dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, respectively. Ireland was reduced to 94/4 when Harry Tector joined George Dockrell at the crease.

Tector and Dockrell put on a much-needed partnership of 100 runs before Tector was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan for 58. Dockrell continued to fight hard and scored his maiden Test century. He remained unbeaten on 108 as Ireland ended the day at 276/7.

Day Four

Ireland's lower-order batsmen continued to struggle against the Bangladeshi bowlers on Day Four. Simi Singh was dismissed early, and Mark Adair followed soon after. George Dockrell's valiant effort came to an end when he was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan for 127. Ireland was eventually bowled out for 343, giving Bangladesh a target of 139 runs to win.

Day Five

Bangladesh started the final day of the match on a cautious note, losing two early wickets. However, experienced