Dhaka: Ireland piled on the runs to close day three in Mirpur with a lead of 131 runs over Bangladesh, thanks to a magnificent century from Lorcan Tucker.
Ireland’s middle order was outstanding as they batted out the day and finished on 286-8 after being 51-5 in the morning session. Ireland had been facing an inning-long defeat on day two. As Andy McBrine finished the day on 71*, he became the third Ireland batter to record a first-ever Test half-century in the match, while Harry Tector got his second half-century of the contest.
Tucker established an Irish record fifth-wicket partnership with Tector before putting on 111 with Andy McBrine, the second-highest partnership for Ireland in Test matches, shattering records as he stood at the crease.
The second-highest Test score for Ireland was Tucker’s 108. The only other player to score a Test century for Ireland is Kevin O’Brien.
Shoriful Islam provided the breakthrough for Bangladesh after PJ Moor and Tector had a strong start to the day, surviving the first 14 overs without losing a wicket. The easy catch of a misdirected shot from Moor by keeper Litton Das contributed to Ireland’s collapse the previous night. To make Bangladesh bat once more, they still needed to reach 104.
Nonetheless, Ireland took control of the rest of the day’s play after that. As he did on day one, Tector maintained his composed demeanor at the crease and took advantage of some errant deliveries from Shoriful to pick up several consecutive boundaries toward the close of the morning session. Before the lunch break, Tucker joined the assault, hitting back-to-back fours off Edabot Hossain.
Just after the break, Tector hit his half-century with a thick outside edge off Khaled Ahmed. Before Taijul Islam pushed him in front, he had improved his first-inning score by six runs. Ball tracking indicated three reds to send him on his way and summon McBrine to the crease, despite his decision to request a review.
Lorcan Tucker had reached 40 off 72 balls at that time, and when the pitch deadened out, both batsmen began to match each other and attack the bowlers. After Tector left, Tucker occupied the spotlight. He needed 82 balls to achieve his first fifty before hitting Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a six over long on.
In the same over, McBrine hit a six over the bowler’s head after Tucker had given Ireland the lead with a four off Taijul. The boundaries kept coming.
Lorcan Tucker flipped the contest on its head and finished the session on 88, just short of a Test century. After lunch, Ireland scored 106 runs in its final 27 overs, putting itself in a commanding position. Shakib Al Hasan’s apparent injury stopped him from bowling for the majority of the day, which hurt Bangladesh.
Tucker reached his hundred after the interval in just three overs, reaching the mark with a cover drive to the boundary. O’Brien had previously achieved the only other Ireland Test century against Pakistan in 2018, but this stroke made him the first Test century for Ireland in nearly five years.
In the same over, Tucker danced down the wicket to hammer another boundary down the ground, bringing up the century partnership with McBrine. However, he was unable to surpass O’Brien’s record since Hossain’s half-volley was smashed straight to extra cover, ending his innings for 108.
Even though Ireland lost to Mark Adair late in the game, McBrine led Ireland to victory. Shakib’s waist-high full toss, which he directed to the fine-leg boundary for four, helped him reach his first Test fifty. He amassed several boundaries with Graham Hume as the day came to an end, going unbeaten at 71.
Bangladesh still needs two wickets to conclude Ireland’s innings as their lead approaches 150; thus, Ireland will resume play tomorrow feeling as though they have a chance to win their first Test match.
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