Bangladesh vs Ireland: 2nd Test Preview – Mushfiqur’s Milestone Amid Tigers’ Whitewash Hunt

Dhaka, November 18, 2025 – Bangladesh stand poised to cap Mushfiqur Rahim’s landmark 100th Test with a series-clinching victory when they host Ireland for the second and final rubber at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Fresh from a commanding innings and 47-run demolition in Sylhet – their first-ever Test win by an innings margin against a full member side – the Tigers eye a clean sweep to bolster their World Test Championship standings. For Ireland, it’s redemption or regret: after a chastening debut in the format against Bangladesh, captain Andrew Balbirnie’s men must summon resilience on a spin-infested Dhaka deck to avoid a 2-0 drubbing and salvage pride.This historic two-Test series, Ireland’s first in Bangladesh since gaining full ICC membership, underscores the visitors’ red-ball growth – they’ve notched series wins over Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in recent years. Yet, the subcontinental cauldron proved too hot in Sylhet, where Bangladesh’s batsmen feasted on a batting paradise before their spinners strangled the fight. The decider starts Wednesday, November 19, at 9:30 AM local (3:30 AM GMT / 9:00 AM IST), under humid conditions (28-32°C) with a 20% chance of early-morning showers. Expect a Day 1 toss tilt towards batting, as Mirpur’s black-soil pitch typically aids seam early before turning into a spinner’s web, averaging 350+ first-innings scores in home Tests.

Form Guide: Dominant Hosts vs Battered Tourists

Bangladesh’s Sylhet masterclass was a statement: declaring at 587/8 after Ireland’s 286, they enforced the follow-on and skittled the tourists for 254, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5/66) and Taijul Islam (4/74) orchestrating the collapse. Their batting firepower – centuries from opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy (171) and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (150) – masked a top-order wobble, while Mushfiqur’s gritty 80 set the tone for his milestone match.

Unbeaten in their last three home Tests, the Tigers boast a spin quartet primed for Dhaka’s grip.Ireland’s baptism was brutal: Paul Stirling (74) and debutant Cade Carmichael (56) sparked a promising 150-run opening stand on Day 1, but the middle order crumbled against spin, with Andy McBrine’s defiant 59 the lone second-innings resistance. Left-armer Matthew Humphreys snared 5/150 but leaked 6.50 runs per over, exposing their bowling naivety.

Recent red-ball successes abroad offer hope, but subcontinental tours have yielded just one win in 12 attempts – they’ll need to forget Sylhet fast to mount a fightback.

Head-to-Head: In three Tests, Bangladesh lead 2-1, including the Sylhet rout. Ireland’s sole victory came in 2018 at Malahide, but Dhaka has been a fortress – no visiting team has won here since 2015.

Squads and Probable XIs: Spin Depth vs Batting Revival

Bangladesh Squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Murad, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Jaker Ali, Ebadot Hossain, Khaled Ahmed.

Probable XI:

Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Hasan Murad, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain.
Impact Options: Nahid Rana (extra pace), Jaker Ali (batting depth).
Key Men: Mushfiqur’s experience (averaging 45+ in home Tests) for his century quest; Mehidy’s all-round wizardry (match figures 7/100 in opener).

Ireland Squad:

Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Andy McBrine, Jordan Neill, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Stephen Doheny, Graham Hume, Gavin Hoey, Liam McCarthy.Probable XI: Paul Stirling, Cade Carmichael, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Andy McBrine, Jordan Neill, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey.
Impact Options:

Craig Young (seam variation), Graham Hume (bounce).
Key Men:

Stirling’s aggression (74 in first innings); McBrine’s counter-punch batting and off-spin to disrupt the middle overs.

Pitch and Conditions:

Spin Symphony in MirpurDhaka’s Shere Bangla Stadium pitch, with its dry, crumbly surface, favors Bangladesh’s tweakers – expect 600+ runs from spin across five days, with Taijul and Miraz thriving post-lunch. Early seam from Ebadot and McCarthy could matter, but variable bounce has felled visiting openers. Average first-innings score: 380; chases under 250 succeed 70% of the time. Humid evenings may aid reverse swing, but no dew forecast – a result is likely by Day 4.

What to Watch: Milestones, Match-Ups, and Momentum

• Mushfiqur’s Magic Moment: The 37-year-old trailblazer, feted by peers like Shakib Al Hasan, craves a ton in his 100th – can Ireland’s attack, sans Trent Johnston’s nous, contain him?
• Stirling vs Spinners: Ireland’s opener feasted early in Sylhet; Mehidy’s arm-ball could be his nemesis on a turning track.
• Tector’s Test Temperament: Harry Tector (average 35+ in county cricket) must anchor if Carmichael falters – a big knock could spark a series-leveller.
• Spin Battle Royale: Humphreys (5-fer last time) vs Taijul (200+ Test wickets) – who masters the Mirpur riddle first?
• WTC Implications: A win catapults Bangladesh towards the 2027 cycle’s top half; Ireland, outsiders at No.9, need points to climb.

Bangladesh enter as overwhelming 1.20 favorites, their home spin hegemony (80% win rate in last decade) a nightmare for Ireland’s novice attack. Yet, the visitors’ grit – McBrine’s half-century defiance – hints at an upset if they bat big first. This isn’t just a dead rubber; it’s Mushfiqur’s party, and Bangladesh aim to gatecrash Ireland’s growth story. Tune in via Gazi TV (Bangladesh), Sony Sports (India), or ESPNcricinfo for live updates – expect a spin-laden spectacle in Dhaka.