Bangladesh Dominates Ireland in 2025 Test Series as Mushfiqur Rahim Hits 100th Test Milestone

When Bangladesh Cricket Board hosted Ireland for a two-Test series in November 2025, few expected it to become a defining moment in Bangladesh’s Test evolution. But that’s exactly what happened. The Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh Ireland Test Series 2025 kicked off at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on November 11, and by day two, Bangladesh had already announced their intent: 338 for 1, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy unbeaten on 169 and Mominul Haque on 80. Ireland’s bowlers, despite grit, looked lost. No wickets. No breakthroughs. Just silence from the scoreboard. And then came the second Test — and history.

A Batting Masterclass in Sylhet

The first Test wasn’t just about runs. It was about rebuilding. Ireland, coming off a shaky tour, had hopes pinned on their debutants: Cade Carmichael, J Neill, and the elusive Murad. All three took the field with nerves and promise. But Bangladesh’s top order? Calm. Clinical. Almost effortless.

Joy, 28, played like a man with nothing to prove and everything to gain. His 169 not out came off 283 balls — no fireworks, just pressure. He absorbed everything Ireland threw: the short balls, the nagging line, the spin that gripped the Sylhet pitch. Even when AR McBrine bowled 24 overs with five maidens, he couldn’t crack Joy’s defense. Meanwhile, Shadman Islam’s 80 and Mominul Haque’s 80* turned the innings into a symphony of patience. Ireland’s economy rates hovered around 3.8. That’s not dominance. That’s surrender.

By day’s end, Bangladesh led by 52 runs with nine wickets in hand. The twist? Ireland had scored 286 — their best total in Bangladesh since 2018. But it meant nothing. The scoreboard had already shifted.

Mushfiqur Rahim’s Century of Character

The second Test at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur wasn’t just another game. It was a coronation. Mushfiqur Rahim, 36, stepped onto the field for his 100th Test. He’d been the backbone of Bangladesh cricket since 2005 — the quiet captain, the gritty keeper, the man who held the team together through droughts and defeats.

On day one, he reached 99 not out. Not with a six. Not with a sweep. But with a single off Gavin Hoey in the 89.3 over. The crowd rose. The TV cameras zoomed. The moment lasted longer than the over. He’d played 187 balls. Five boundaries. No flinch. And when the innings closed at 292 for 4, his 99* was more than a score — it was a legacy.

Supporting him? Mominul Haque (63), Litton Das (47*), and even Joy, who chipped in with 34. Ireland’s only bright spot? Andy McBrine, who took 4 for 82 in 26 overs. His maiden in the 12th over silenced the crowd briefly. But when Najmul Hossain Shanto was bowled after losing balance — a moment described as “massive wicket after getting hit down the ground and the undoing of Shanto gone for eight” — it was clear: Ireland had no answers for Bangladesh’s depth.

Why This Series Matters

Bangladesh haven’t always been dominant at home. But this series? Different. Their top order, once a liability, now looks like the strongest in Asia outside India. In the first Test, they posted their highest opening partnership in Tests since 2022. In the second, they batted 90 overs without losing more than four wickets. That’s not luck. That’s culture.

And Ireland? They’re still finding their way. Three debutants. Four bowlers with economy rates under 4.0. And yet, no breakthroughs. No momentum. Their last Test win against a Full Member? That was in 2019 against Zimbabwe. This series exposed the gap — not just in skill, but in mental resilience.

What’s more, this series was part of Bangladesh’s 2025–26 international calendar, sponsored by Dutch-Bangla Bank. The financial backing matters, but the performance matters more. For the first time, Bangladesh’s Test team looks like a unit that can compete anywhere — not just at home.

What’s Next?

With the series ending on November 23, 2025, Bangladesh now holds a commanding position in both matches. The second Test, as of day two, had Ireland trailing by 378 runs. The result is all but decided. But the real story isn’t the scoreboard. It’s what this means for Bangladesh’s future.

Next up? A home series against South Africa in January 2026. And if this top order keeps clicking — Joy, Mominul, Rahim, Das — they won’t just be contenders. They’ll be a force.

Ireland, meanwhile, heads home with questions. Can they develop spin options? Can their young batsmen handle pressure? And will they ever find a way to break through against disciplined Test sides?

Historical Context

This was only the second time Ireland had toured Bangladesh for a Test series. The first? 2018. Back then, Bangladesh won by an innings. This time? Even more emphatic. And Mushfiqur Rahim’s 100th Test? He’s the third Bangladeshi to reach the mark, after Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur’s own predecessor, Mohammad Ashraful. He’s now the most capped Test player in Bangladesh history — a quiet giant who never sought headlines, but earned every one.

The pitch at Mirpur, known for turning square after day three, could yet play a role. But with Bangladesh’s spinners — Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan — warming up in the nets, Ireland’s chances look thinner than the Dhaka smog.

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