Despite Tucker's performance, Bangladesh continue to assert dominance
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Day 3 Stumps: Bangladesh Lead by 367 runs
Bangladesh - 476 all out and 156-1
(Shadman Islam 64* Mahmudul Hasan Joy 60; Gavin Hoey 1-44)
Ireland - 265 all out after 88.3 overs
(Lorcan Tucker 75* Jordan Neill 49; Taijul Islam 4-76)
Bangladesh tightened their grip on the match, finishing Day 3 with a commanding 367-run lead. In a decision that surprised many, they chose not to enforce the follow-on, perhaps banking on further deterioration of the pitch in the coming days.
Ireland resumed on 98-5, trailing by 378, and demonstrated remarkable resilience to reduce the deficit to 211. Lorcan Tucker and Stephen Doheny were building a crucial partnership and had taken Ireland to 165-5 when play was halted due to an earthquake felt strongly around the ground.
The visitors lost two quick wickets after the restart, with Stephen Doheny (46) and Andy McBrine (0) falling within three deliveries. Jordan Neill then joined Tucker, and together they put on a superb 74-run partnership, the highest eighth-wicket stand for Ireland in Test cricket.
Shortly after Bangladesh took the new ball, Neill was dismissed for 49, agonizingly one run short of his maiden Test fifty, edging to Mominul Haque. Tucker remained unbeaten on 75 as Ireland were eventually bowled out for 265.
In a surprise move, Bangladesh chose to bat again and their openers made a strong start, putting on 119 before Gavin Hoey removed Mahmudul Hasan Joy for 60. With a substantial lead, the hosts have taken the game well beyond Irish reach.
Ireland will need early breakthroughs on Day 4 to stand any chance of a comeback.
