Miraz, Murad put Tigers on top

Bangladesh clawed back through disciplined bowling on the opening day of the Sylhet Test, restricting Ireland to 270 for eight at stumps after the visitors had made a steady start, reports UNB

Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz led the attack with three wickets for 50 in 23 overs, while debutant left-arm spinner Hasan Murad impressed with two crucial scalps.

Pacers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana, along with Taijul Islam, chipped in with one wicket each to keep Bangladesh in control by the close of play.

Ireland's innings revolved around the contributions of Paul Stirling and Cade Carmichael,

who each struck confident half-centuries.

Stirling, the more aggressive of the two, top-scored with 60, while the debutant Carmichael showed composure to make 59. Their 94-run stand for the second wicket helped Ireland recover after losing skipper Andy Balbirnie for a duck in the first over.

However, Bangladesh's bowlers tightened their grip after lunch.

Nahid Rana broke the partnership when Stirling edged to slip on 60, and Mehidy Hasan struck soon after to dismiss Harry Tector lbw for 1.

The middle order offered brief resistance, but wickets fell at regular intervals.

Barry McCarthy remained unbeaten on

21 as Ireland survived the full 90 overs but struggled to build lasting partnerships after the second-wicket stand.

Despite early fielding lapses - Bangladesh dropped three catches in the first session - the hosts recovered well, showing control and patience on a pitch that offered occasional bounce and turn.

Nevertheless, Bangladesh ended the day with happy note when Taijul trapped Neill leg-before for 30 in the last ball of the innings. McCarthy was on 21

at that time.