Bangladesh tightened their stranglehold on the second Test in Dhaka, ending Day 2 in complete command after another familiar Irish batting collapse. Centuries from Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim set the tone for a dominant day as the hosts posted a formidable 476 in their first innings before reducing Ireland to 98/5, still trailing by 378 runs.
The day began with Mushfiqur Rahim resuming on 99 in his milestone 100th Test. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter thrilled the Mirpur crowd by completing his 13th Test hundred, becoming only the 11th player in history to score a century in their 100th Test match. Litton Das played the perfect foil, crafting a classy 123 to push Bangladesh toward a massive total.
At 433/5, Bangladesh seemed destined for 500-plus, with Litton and Mehidy Hasan Miraz well set. But Ireland briefly clawed their way back when Andy McBrine sparked a collapse, removing both set batters in quick succession as the hosts stumbled to 443/8. However, the lower order chipped in enough to stretch the total to 476.
Ireland’s response once again exposed their biggest weakness of the series — playing quality spin. Openers Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling put on a steady 41-run stand, but once spin was introduced, the slide began. Hasan Murad’s slingy left-arm spin caused immediate chaos, as he picked up two wickets, while Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz struck once each to leave Ireland reeling at 98/5 by stumps.
The surface has begun to show cracks, and things threaten to get much worse for the visitors on what promises to be a decisive ‘moving day’. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be thrilled with how comprehensively they’ve dominated not just Day 2, but the entire series so far.
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