Bangladesh crush Ireland by an innings and 47 runs in Sylhet Test debut

Bangladesh crush Ireland by an innings and 47 runs in Sylhet Test debut

When Bangladesh declared their first innings at 587/8d on November 14, 2025, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, they didn’t just win a Test match—they sent a message. By the end of the fourth day, Ireland had been bowled out for 198 in their second innings, trailing by an innings and 47 runs. The result wasn’t just a win. It was a demolition. And it came on the back of a career-defining performance from Mahmudul Hasan Joy, whose 171 runs weren’t just his maiden Test century—they were the backbone of a crushing victory that extended Bangladesh’s stranglehold over Ireland in Test cricket to 1-0.

From Toss to Triumph: How Bangladesh Took Control

It started with a toss. Paul Stirling, Ireland’s captain, chose to bat first—a decision that looked bold on paper, but quickly unraveled under the weight of Bangladesh’s disciplined attack. By the close of day one, Ireland had limped to 123/4, and by the end of day two, they were all out for 286. The hosts, meanwhile, didn’t waste a single session. Mahmudul Hasan Joy batted for over six hours, facing 286 balls with the patience of a veteran and the aggression of a man on a mission. His 171 was the highest score by a Bangladesh batter in the 2025 Test season so far, and it came at a time when the team needed a statement.

What made Joy’s innings even more remarkable was the context. He’d been the only addition to Bangladesh’s squad after their Sri Lanka tour, a quiet comeback kid. Now, he was the star. And he wasn’t alone. Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipped in with 3/50 in Ireland’s first innings, while Hasan Murad, making his Test debut, ripped through Ireland’s second innings with 4/60. Murad, a 22-year-old off-spinner from Khulna, wasn’t even on the radar six months ago. Now, he’s the new face of Bangladesh’s spin attack.

Ireland’s Struggles and Debutants in the Fire

Ireland’s fight was brave, but thin. Their top order, led by Stirling’s gritty 60, showed flashes of resilience. Andy McBrine’s 52 in the second innings was the only real resistance, but the lower order collapsed like a house of cards. Matthew Humphreys did his best with the ball, taking 5/170 in Bangladesh’s first innings—his best Test figures—but even he couldn’t stem the tide. The Irish side, still finding its footing in Test cricket, fielded two debutants: Cade Carmichael and Jordan Neill. Neill, in fact, was only called up on November 10 after Ross Adair’s knee injury ruled him out of the T20I series. He made his Test debut under immense pressure—and was caught behind for a duck on day three.

It’s hard to imagine a more difficult introduction to Test cricket than facing Bangladesh’s attack on a wearing Sylhet pitch. The pitch, which offered turn from day one, became a nightmare for visiting batters. The average first-innings score in Sylhet over the past three Tests? 298. Ireland’s 286? Almost average. Their second innings? A disaster.

Historical Dominance and the Bigger Picture

This wasn’t just another win. It was the continuation of a pattern. Since their first Test meeting in 2018, Bangladesh has won every single Test against Ireland—two in a row now. In limited-overs cricket, the gap is even wider: 11 wins to 2 in ODIs, 5-2 in T20Is. Ireland, despite their growth in the T20 format, still struggles to adapt to the demands of five-day cricket. Their tour of Bangladesh, announced in September 2025, was meant to be a learning experience. Instead, it’s become a brutal lesson.

For Bangladesh, this victory confirms the stability of their Test unit under captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was reinstated as skipper until the end of the World Test Championship cycle. The return of veteran Mushfiqur Rahim as a wicketkeeper-batter, and the appointment of former captain Ashraful as batting coach, have added depth and experience. Ashraful’s hands-on work with Joy before the series was reportedly a turning point.

What’s Next? The Road to Dhaka and Beyond

What’s Next? The Road to Dhaka and Beyond

The second Test begins on November 19, 2025, at the Dhaka Cricket Stadium—a venue where Bangladesh has won every Test since 2016. Ireland will need more than grit; they’ll need a complete overhaul of their batting strategy. The three T20Is that follow—two in Chattogram, one in Dhaka—will be a different test entirely. But for now, the focus remains on the Test match: Bangladesh didn’t just win. They announced themselves as a force.

Why This Matters

This result isn’t just about points on a table. It’s about identity. For Bangladesh, it’s proof that their Test team, long overshadowed by their T20I success, is finally finding its rhythm. For Ireland, it’s a reminder that Test cricket remains a different beast—one they’re still learning to tame. And for fans watching globally, it’s a sign that the gap between full members and associate nations, while narrowing in white-ball cricket, remains wide in the longest format.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s 171 compare to past Bangladesh Test performances?

Joy’s 171 was Bangladesh’s highest individual score in Test cricket since 2023, and his first century in 17 innings. It surpassed his previous best of 117 against Sri Lanka in 2024. Only four Bangladeshi batters have scored higher on home soil in the past five years: Shakib Al Hasan (217), Mominul Haque (201), and Tamim Iqbal (194 and 189). His innings was also the longest by a Bangladesh batter in terms of balls faced in 2025.

Why did Ireland’s debutants struggle so much in the Test match?

Ireland’s debutants, Cade Carmichael and Jordan Neill, faced a pitch that turned sharply from day one and a bowling attack with 120+ combined Test caps. Neill, a 21-year-old all-rounder, had never played above the second XI level before this series. His 0 and 2 in the two innings reflect the steep learning curve for associate players entering Test cricket. The lack of exposure to multi-day conditions and pressure situations was evident.

What’s the significance of Hasan Murad’s debut performance?

Hasan Murad’s 4/60 on debut was the best bowling figures by a Bangladesh spinner on Test debut since Taijul Islam’s 5/67 in 2014. At just 22, he’s the youngest spin bowler to take a four-wicket haul in a Test for Bangladesh since 2010. His ability to extract turn from a dry Sylhet pitch suggests he could be the long-term successor to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, especially if Bangladesh looks to build a spin-heavy attack for the 2027 World Test Championship cycle.

How does this result affect Ireland’s World Test Championship prospects?

Ireland is not currently part of the World Test Championship, but this heavy defeat reinforces why they’re not yet eligible for inclusion. To qualify, teams must demonstrate consistent competitiveness over a minimum of five Test matches. Ireland has played only four Tests since 2018, losing all of them. This innings defeat in Sylhet makes their case for inclusion even harder unless they show marked improvement in the next two years.

What’s the schedule for the rest of Ireland’s tour of Bangladesh?

The second Test starts November 19 in Dhaka. After that, the T20I series begins on November 27 in Chattogram, with the first two matches at 6:00 PM local time and the third on December 1 in Dhaka at 2:00 PM. Jordan Neill, who replaced Ross Adair, will play all three T20Is. The series concludes on December 1, with Bangladesh aiming to complete a 5-0 sweep across formats.

Has Bangladesh ever won by an innings and 47 runs before?

Yes—this was Bangladesh’s sixth innings victory in Test cricket, and the first since their 2022 win over Zimbabwe in Chattogram. The exact margin of 47 runs is rare: only three times before had Bangladesh won by an innings and exactly 47 runs. The most recent was against West Indies in 2018, also in Dhaka. It’s a statistical quirk, but one that underscores how thoroughly they dominated this match.