Mushfiqur inch closer to reach historic ton on his landmark Test

Veteran wicketkeeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim made his 100th Test match memorable as the right-hand batter stood just one run away from a magnificent hundred in his landmark 100th Test as Bangladesh ended the opening day of the final Test with a satisfying 292 for four against Ireland at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Mushfiq who faced 187 -balls in his unbeaten 99 run knock, kept his calm throughout the day and played a classic Test innings hitting only five fours.
His composure ensured Bangladesh never lost control despite Ireland's occasional breakthroughs.

Mushfiq first made 107-run stand with Mominul Haque, who contributed a handy 63. Mpminul became Andy McBrine's one of four victims after tea break. But it was left Mushfiq and Litton to lift the innings. The duo so far added another unbroken 90-run stand where  Litton Das was unbeaten on 47 runs.

Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied Bangladesh with a composed partnership against a rejuvenated Ireland bowling attack, steering the hosts to 192-3 at tea.

The experienced pair combined for an unbeaten 107-run after Bangladesh lost three wickets in quick succession. Mominul brought up his 24th Test fifty with just lone boundary.

Both batters survived a few close calls as Irish bowlers operated tirelessly. Mominul had two reprieves before reaching his fifty, while Mushfiqur also escaped some nervous moments.

Bangladesh made a solid start after Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto won the toss and opted to bat.

Openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam put on 52 runs before Andy McBrine, who claimed all three wickets in the first session, triggered the collapse.

Shadman was trapped leg-before by a sharply turning delivery. Though given not out initially, McBrine overturned it on review, ending his fluent 35 off 44 balls, featuring six boundaries. Joy, fresh from his career-best 171 in the first Test, looked set again but pressure created by successive dot balls led to his dismissal for 34.

 Shanto tried to break the shackle with a six, but McBrine struck again, producing a sharply turning ball that rattled his stumps.
From there on, Mushfiqur and Mominul applied themselves brilliantly, keeping them unscathed in the entire second session to shift the momentum back in Bangladesh's favour.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto elected to bat first in the second and final Test against Ireland after winning the toss at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur today.

The match marks the 100th Test appearance of Mushfiqur Rahim, making him the first Bangladeshi cricketer to reach the milestone.
The hosts lead the two-match series 1-0 following their innings-and-47-run victory in the first Test in Sylhet.

Bangladesh, however, broke their winning combination, bringing in Ebadot Hossain in place of fellow fast bowler Nahid Rana. A victory in this Test would give the Tigers a clean sweep - a result they are aiming for.

Ireland also made one change in their bid to level the series, with Gavin Hoey replacing Craig Young.

Bangladesh: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Murad, Khaled Ahmed.

Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (c), Paul Stirling, Cade Carmichael, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (w), Andy McBrine, Stephen Doheny, Jordan Neill, Matthew Humphreys, Gavin Hoey.