When Bangladesh Cricket Board announced its 2025-26 home schedule in September, few expected the Bangladesh vs Ireland Test series to become a landmark moment in Irish cricket history — and a quiet triumph for Bangladesh’s emerging generation. The first Test, played from November 11–15, 2025, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, ended in a thumping 155-run victory for Bangladesh, but the real story unfolded on Day 1 of the second Test: Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s veteran wicketkeeper-batsman, stepped onto the field for his 100th Test match, becoming only the third Bangladeshi to reach that milestone. The occasion was overshadowed by a tense, low-scoring start — but not by the result. Not yet.
From Sylhet to Dhaka: A Tale of Two Tests
The first Test in Sylhet was a masterclass in patience and power. Bangladesh, after winning the toss and electing to bat, piled up 587/8 declared. Mahmudul Hasan Joy delivered his maiden double-century effort — 171 off 286 balls — while debutant Hasan Murad ripped through Ireland’s batting order with 4/60. Ireland, batting first, collapsed to 286, then crumbled again in the second innings to 254, despite Andy McBrine’s gritty 52. Matthew Humphreys, Ireland’s lone bright spot, took 5/170, but it was a losing battle against sheer volume. The pitch? Flat. Fast. Favouring batsmen — and Bangladesh’s depth.Milestone and Momentum: Rahim’s Century of Tests
The second Test, beginning November 19 in Dhaka, carried a different weight. This wasn’t just about runs — it was about legacy. Mushfiqur Rahim, 36, walked out for his 100th Test — a feat matched by only two other Bangladeshis: Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur’s own mentor, Mohammad Ashraful. He didn’t need to score big to make history. But he did. By lunch on Day 1, Rahim had brought up his 50, and by the close, Bangladesh stood at 192/3, with Litton Das (128*) and Rahim (42*) anchoring the innings. The crowd, packed and buzzing, rose for him — not just for his runs, but for the 18 years of grit he’s embodied.Meanwhile, Ireland’s Andy McBrine was quietly rewriting his own story. In the first Test, he’d scored 52 and taken 2 wickets. In the second, he became Ireland’s most dangerous bowler — taking 6/109 in 33.1 overs, including the key wicket of Shadman Islam with a cleverly disguised arm-ball. His tactic? Slowing the ball through the air, making batsmen commit early. It worked. Three times.
Why the ODIs Vanished — And What It Means
Originally, the series was set for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. But in August 2025, Cricket Ireland quietly requested the BCB to drop the ODIs. Why? Because Ireland’s limited-overs squad was already stretched thin. They’d just returned from a grueling ODI series in Zimbabwe and were preparing for the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers. The BCB, eager to secure a high-profile Test series and avoid scheduling conflicts with the Indian Premier League window, agreed. The result? A leaner, more focused series — one that put Test cricket back in the spotlight for both nations.It’s a telling shift. For Bangladesh, it’s about building a Test identity. For Ireland, it’s about survival. They’ve played just four Tests since 2018. Their last win? A 2019 thriller against Zimbabwe. Their last century in Test cricket? Lorcan Tucker’s 108 in Dhaka in 2023 — a moment that still echoes.
Historical Dominance, Modern Realities
The head-to-head stats tell a blunt story. In Tests: Bangladesh 1–0. In ODIs: Bangladesh 11–2 (16 matches). In T20Is: Bangladesh 5–2 (8 matches). Ireland has never beaten Bangladesh in any format since their first meeting in 2006. And yet — they keep showing up. In Sylhet, they batted for 138 overs across two innings. In Dhaka, McBrine bowled 33.1 overs on a wearing pitch. They’re not just tourists. They’re fighters.The pitch in Dhaka this time? Unlike the flat Sylhet surface, it’s offering turn and variable bounce. That’s why McBrine’s 6-wicket haul is so significant. He’s not just taking wickets — he’s proving Ireland can compete on Asian soil. And when Mehidy Hasan Miraz — Bangladesh’s off-spinner — comes on, the pressure will rise. He’s taken 21 wickets in his last three Tests. Ireland’s middle order, led by Cade Carmichael and Jordan Neill — both debutants in Sylhet — will be tested like never before.
What’s Next? T20Is and the Road Ahead
The second Test concludes November 23. Then, the three T20Is begin — though exact dates remain unconfirmed. The third and final T20I is scheduled for Dhaka at 2:00 PM local time. Ireland’s T20 squad, led by captain Andrew Balbirnie, will be fresher than their Test counterparts. But Bangladesh’s spinners — especially Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Najmul Hossain Shanto — will be lethal on home pitches.For Bangladesh, this series is about momentum. They’ve won 11 of their last 13 home Tests. For Ireland, it’s about proving they belong. Not just as a team that turns up, but as one that can compete — even if it’s by a run, a wicket, or a single over of disciplined bowling.
As the sun sets over Dhaka on Day 2 of the second Test, with Rahim at the crease and McBrine waiting in the wings, cricket fans in both nations are watching. Not just for results. But for meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ireland drop the ODIs from the Bangladesh series?
Cricket Ireland requested the removal of the three ODIs to manage player workload ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifiers. Ireland’s squad had just completed a demanding ODI tour of Zimbabwe and needed to prioritize Test cricket and T20 preparation. The Bangladesh Cricket Board agreed, recognizing the value of a focused two-Test series over a bloated schedule.
How significant is Mushfiqur Rahim’s 100th Test?
Only three Bangladeshi cricketers have played 100 Tests: Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mohammad Ashraful. Rahim is the only one to have played every single Test since his debut in 2006. He’s Bangladesh’s most capped player in Tests, and his leadership, both on and off the field, has shaped the team’s identity for nearly two decades.
Has Ireland ever beaten Bangladesh in a Test match?
No. Bangladesh leads 1–0 in Test matches between the two teams, winning their only previous encounter in Dhaka in 2023 by 155 runs. Ireland’s best performance came in that same match, when wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker scored a century on debut — still the only Test century by an Irish batsman since 2018.
Who are the key players to watch in the second Test?
For Bangladesh, Mushfiqur Rahim (100th Test), Litton Das (128* on Day 1), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (21 wickets in last three Tests) are pivotal. For Ireland, Andy McBrine (6/109 in the second Test) is their only consistent performer, while debutants Cade Carmichael and Jordan Neill must prove they can handle Test pressure. The battle between McBrine and the Bangladeshi middle order could decide the match.
What’s the significance of the pitch conditions in Sylhet vs Dhaka?
Sylhet’s pitch was flat and bat-friendly, allowing Bangladesh to post 587/8 declared. Dhaka’s surface, by contrast, offers more turn and variable bounce — ideal for spinners like Mehidy Hasan and Andy McBrine. This shift forced Ireland to adapt from power-hitting to survival mode, highlighting the importance of pitch preparation in Test cricket’s evolving landscape.
When will the T20I series take place?
The three T20Is are scheduled to follow the second Test, concluding before December 10, 2025. The third and final T20I will be played in Dhaka at 2:00 PM Bangladesh time, though exact dates remain unconfirmed by the BCB. Ireland’s T20 squad will be largely unchanged from their World Cup qualifying preparations, with Andrew Balbirnie leading a side focused on pace and power.
