Bangladesh didn't just beat Ireland in their first Test of the 2025 tour — they dismantled them. On the final day of play at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Bangladesh wrapped up victory by an innings and 47 runs, sending a stark message to a team still finding its feet in Test cricket. The match, played from November 11 to 15, 2025, wasn't just a win — it was a statement. Ireland, who’ve now lost all three of their Test matches against Bangladesh since their 2018 debut, were bowled out for 186 in their second innings after Bangladesh posted a commanding 493 in their first. The hosts, led by a disciplined bowling attack and a gritty batting performance from Mohammed Mithun (87) and Tamim Iqbal (76), never let Ireland breathe. This was the kind of performance that reminds you why Bangladesh, despite their inconsistent record elsewhere, remain a fortress at home.
Historical Dominance, Now Cemented
Before this match, Bangladesh had won just one Test against Ireland — back in 2023 in Dhaka. Now, they’ve won two in a row. The numbers tell the story: in 16 ODIs, Bangladesh has won 11; in eight T20Is, they’ve taken five. But Tests? That’s where the gulf is widest. Ireland’s lone Test century in their history came from Lorcan Tucker in 2023 — a debut knock of 108. He’s still the only Irish wicketkeeper to ever score a Test hundred. And yet, even his brilliance couldn’t save them in Sylhet. On Day 4, with the pitch offering turn and the Bangladesh spinners — Shakib Al Hasan (5/42) and Nasum Ahmed (4/51) — in full control, Ireland’s batting collapsed like a house of cards. They lost their last seven wickets for just 42 runs.
The Dhaka Test: A Second Act in the Same Script
As if Sylhet wasn’t enough, the second Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka has followed the same pattern. On Day 2, November 19, 2025, Ireland was reeling at 98 for 5, trailing Bangladesh’s first-innings 476 by 391 runs. The Irish top order, once again, failed to cope with the conditions. Paul Stirling, their captain, fell for 12 — his 12th consecutive Test innings under 30. The only glimmer? A gritty 41 from debutant Ben Calitz, who’s being groomed as Ireland’s long-term No. 3. But even that came with 14 dot balls in his first 20 deliveries. The match officials — including umpires Richard K. Illingworth and Shaun J. Nogajski, and match referee Andy Pycroft — have seen this script before. And they’re not surprised.
What’s Next? T20Is, But Not a Reset Button
Don’t mistake this for a cleanup job. The three-match T20I series — starting November 27 at the Bir Shrestho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram — won’t erase the Test humiliation. But it’s where Ireland might find some redemption. Their T20I side, led by Stirling and powered by Curtis Campher and Josh Little, has beaten Bangladesh before. In 2023, they won a T20I by 77 runs using DLS. And in 2022, they chased 188 in Dhaka with three balls to spare. The problem? Those wins came on pitches that didn’t suit Bangladesh’s spinners. Here, the dew, the shorter boundaries, the night games — all favor the home side. Still, Ireland’s squad, packed with hard-hitting all-rounders and a disciplined death bowler in Craig Young, isn’t without hope.
Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
This tour isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about the slow, painful climb of a cricketing nation trying to prove it belongs among Test-playing countries. Ireland’s 2018 Test debut was a milestone. But since then, they’ve lost 11 of their 12 Tests — and been bowled out under 200 in eight of them. Meanwhile, Bangladesh, despite their own inconsistencies, have become a reliable force in home conditions. Their spinners are among the best in the world on turning tracks. Their fielding has tightened. Their leadership — under Mominul Haque — is calm, experienced. This isn’t a fluke. It’s evolution.
The twist? Ireland’s players are honest about it. After the Sylhet defeat, George Dockrell told reporters: "We’re not here to make up numbers. We’re here to learn. And we will." That’s the spirit. But learning doesn’t change results. And right now, Bangladesh are teaching a brutal lesson.
What’s Coming Up?
The second Test in Dhaka ends November 21. Then, the real test begins: three T20Is. First up: November 27 in Chattogram, 6pm local time. Second: November 29 in Dhaka, 2pm. Third: December 1, also in Dhaka, 6pm. All night games. All televised. All crucial for Ireland’s confidence. And for Bangladesh? Another chance to dominate — this time with power-hitting instead of patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Bangladesh win the first Test by an innings and 47 runs?
Bangladesh posted 493 in their first innings, led by Mithun’s 87 and Tamim’s 76. Ireland were bowled out for 252 in reply. Then, after bowling Ireland out for just 186 in their second innings — with Shakib and Nasum taking nine wickets between them — Bangladesh won by an innings and 47 runs. The match ended on Day 4, November 15, 2025, in Sylhet.
Who are the key players for Ireland in this tour?
Captain Paul Stirling remains Ireland’s most experienced batter, though he’s struggling in Tests. Wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker, who scored a debut century in 2023, is their batting anchor. All-rounders Curtis Campher and Josh Little bring energy in T20Is, while Craig Young’s death bowling is their best hope in limited-overs formats. Ben Calitz, a debutant, showed grit in Dhaka with a 41 under pressure.
Why has Ireland struggled so badly in Test cricket against Bangladesh?
Ireland’s top order lacks consistency against quality spin, and their batting depth is thin. Bangladesh’s home pitches — slow, turning, and low — neutralize Ireland’s aggressive style. In their 12 Tests, Ireland have averaged just 198 per innings. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s spinners, especially on home soil, have a collective average under 25. The gap in experience and pitch adaptation is stark.
What’s the historical record between Bangladesh and Ireland in cricket?
In Tests: Bangladesh 2 wins, Ireland 0. In ODIs: Bangladesh 11 wins, Ireland 2, with 3 no-results. In T20Is: Bangladesh 5 wins, Ireland 2, with 1 no-result. Ireland’s last ODI win came in 2023 (by 77 runs via DLS), and their last T20I win was in 2022. But in Tests, they’ve never won — and haven’t even come close since 2018.
When and where are the T20I matches scheduled?
The three-match T20I series begins November 27, 2025, at Bir Shrestho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram (6pm local time). Match two is on November 29 in Dhaka (2pm), and the final on December 1 in Dhaka (6pm). All are night games, with broadcast coverage confirmed by Cricket Ireland and BCB.
Is this series a sign of Bangladesh’s growing strength in Test cricket?
Absolutely. Bangladesh now have five consecutive Test wins at home — their longest streak since 2017. Their spin trio — Shakib, Nasum, and Mehidy Hasan — are among the most effective in the world on home soil. Against weaker opponents like Ireland, they’re turning dominance into consistency. This isn’t just about beating minnows — it’s about building a legacy as a reliable Test nation.
