It's not often the Irish play without their traditional lucky green and dawn the timeless whites of Test cricket. However, it is the longest format in which Ireland have found some sustained success over the last year.

Having won their last three Test matches, beating Afghanistan in the UAE and achieving home and away victories against Zimbabwe, Andy Balbirnie-led side are on a winning spree since July 2024. However, they are yet to play a red-ball fixture since February 2025.

The Sylhet Test will be the first international fixture for Ireland since the T20I series against England in September. The Ireland squad have five potential debutants and seven players from the squad that visited Bangladesh shores in 2023.

Among the debutants, one of Cade Carmichael or Stephen Doheny is likely to receive their Test cap as they are the front-runners to partner with captain Balbirnie at the top of batting order. Curtis Campher, Harry Tector and Paul Stirling will form the middle order core. Lorcan Tucker, with the gloves, will round of the batting order, while Andy McBrine fills in the all-rounder's slot. Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Matthew Humphreys and Gavin Hoey, who could also be in line for his debut, will form bowling line up.

Akin to visitors, Bangladesh's Test cricket has been on a hiatus as well. They last played a Test against Zimbabwe in April 2025. The home side suffered a defeat in Sylhet in the first Test before squaring it up in Chattogram.

Even though the series against Ireland might not be a part of WTC cycle 2025-27, the hosts will be hoping to lift their Test performance, especially in front of the home crowd. Bangladesh's recent form in the red-ball cricket has been woeful, they failed to register a single series win at home in the 2023-25 WTC cycle, they drew a home series against Zimbabwe and even though in an away series, Bangladesh haven't started the 2025-27 cycle on the brightest note, losing 2-match away series against Sri Lanka 1-0. Najmul Shanto's men will have their work cut out against an Ireland side that has the quality, experience and exuberance of the youth in their ranks.

Although Bangladesh will rely mainly on spin given the turning pitches, the home side is also equipped with formidable fast bowlers. Nahid Rana and Ebadot Hossain, boasting raw pace and skill, are among their resources and can trouble the visiting batters.

Ireland will face a mighty test against Bangladesh, but these are rare opportunities for a Irish side comprising some fine talent to showcase their quality in sub-continental conditions. The visitors would be very keen to leave more than an impression and extend their winning run. Ireland, who as per their coach like the idea of two-tiers in Test cricket and are keen to play in the longest format, an away series win would make their case stronger. Along with the young talent, this Ireland side comes with seasoned campaigners who have endured and thrived in these conditions before.

Among them is McBrine, who has been instrumental for Ireland in their last two wins, shining with both bat and ball. He will be central to Ireland's plans if they are to wage a war against the home side. He is Ireland's joint highest wicket-taker and second highest run-getter and will look to spoil the Bangladesh fans party

McBrine took seven wickets and scored 19 and 72 in the last encounter between the two sides when Bangladesh won in 2023. Ireland have more positives from that fixture to build upon, Harry Tector scored 50+ scores in both his innings and Lorcan Tucker scored his maiden Test century. 

The conditions will give Matthew Humphreys a chance to shine, the left-arm-orthodox took seven wickets in the last match across both innings when Ireland played against Zimbabwe, having only played three matches in the longest format he prepares for his greatest test yet in conditions that suit his strength.

Fixtures:

11-14 November, Bangladesh vs Ireland, First Test at Sylhet

18-22 November, Bangladesh vs Ireland, Second Test at Dhaka

Weather

Bright sunshine and no rain interruptions are expected over the course of the five days.

Ireland:

Andrew Balbirnie (C), Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, Stephen Doheny, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Liam McCarthy, Paul Stirling, Jordan Neil, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young

Bangladesh Squad

Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Kumer Das, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Hasan Murad.