All eyes turn to the capital as the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka is set to host the second Test match between Bangladesh and Ireland from Wednesday. Ireland prepare to draw level in the series after the hosts broke their three match win-streak in the format in Sylhet last week.

The headline of the Test seems written in stone with Bangladesh legend Mushfiqur Rahim expected to play in his 100th Test match, a milestone that no player from the country has achieved before. Mushfiqur has represented his country for 20 years making his Test debut at Lords back in 2005. 

Ireland will face the tough task of trying to spoil the party for Rahim and Bangladesh, after a humbling loss in first Test. Ireland batters were found wanting against the spinners in Sylhet, at Dhaka, the challenge is expected be doubly difficult on a ground that is renowned for the assistance it offers to spin bowlers.

Prior to the ongoing series in Bangladesh, Ireland had not played a series with more than one Test match in over 30 months, since their two-match rubber in Sri Lanka in April 2023. This scarcity of competitive Test match cricket has caused them to lag significantly behind other full member nations. However, with numerous reports indicating that all 12 full members will be included in the ICC World Test Championship, Ireland could potentially look forward to more frequent red-ball cricket.

Paul Stirling spoke about the importance of regular Test cricket regardless of the rumoured change to The Independent:

“(On the 12 team WTC) But if that doesn’t get passed, you’d still like to see more than one or two matches a year because especially for youngsters picking up a bat for the first time you want them to be able to see Ireland playing Tests.”

Further commenting on the impact  of Test cricket Stirling added:

“As far as the squad are concerned, every one of us loves playing Tests and they help you with every other format, I think that’s something people tend to forget,” 

The last fixture at the venue between the sides was in 2023 when Lorcan Tucker scored his historic maiden Test century. Andy McBrine took seven out of the thirteen Bangladesh wickets, however it was ultimately Mushfiqur who was awarded Player of the Match on that occasion with 126 and 51* as Bangladesh won by seven wickets.

The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium is the fortress for Bangladesh Test cricket, with home side winning here on eight occasions, most out of any venue, including Test victories against England, Australia and the West Indies at this historic ground.

Players to Watch

Stirling and Cade Carmichael will play a crucial role with the bat, with both showing promising signs in the first Test, Stirling looked to be in great touch in both innings but was unable to convert his start into a massive score on both occasions.

Debutant Jordan Neill scored a solid 30 and 36 runs in both innings respectively showing that he is handy with the bat lower down the order, while McBrine scored a resistant 52 in visitors' second innings. Ireland will look to build on these performances, which will require a great deal of discipline, patience and application from the batting lineup.

From Bangladesh's perspective, Mahmudul Hasan Joy looked to be in fine touch earning Player of the Match for his magnificent 171 after returning to the side. Captain Najmul Hussain Shanto, scored a rapid century as well, Mushfiqur was the only batter in the top five to not score a half century showing the incredible batting depth that Ireland will look to break down. 

The responsibility to take the majority of the 20 Bangladesh wickets will fall on McBrine and Matthew Humphreys, the latter is in great wicket-taking form taking a five wicket haul in the first Test, while McBrine will look to extend his lead as the highest wicket-taker for Ireland.

Weather

There is no rain expected over the course of five days with some cloud cover on Day two and three.