After posting a mammoth 476 in the first innings and bowling out Ireland for 265, the Tigers reached 156 for 1 at stumps, firmly in control of the contest on a dominant day for the home side.
Earthquake shakes Mirpur
Earlier in the morning, at 10:38 am, with 55.2 overs completed in the Ireland innings, an earthquake struck, creating a wave of panic.
Journalists in the press box, startled by the sudden shaking and noise, rushed downstairs to open space. The players on the field also felt the tremors.
Play was halted for three minutes from 10:38 to 10:41 am as the umpires consulted each other.
Several Irish and Bangladeshi cricketers gathered in open areas, looking up anxiously, seemingly checking if the floodlights were moving.
Ireland players were seen huddling near the away dugout of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Even members of the coaching staff, who were on their way from the Academy Ground to the dressing room, were reportedly alarmed as the situation unfolded.
The players pretty much gathered close to the dressing rooms but after the earthquake stopped, things progressed as before as play resumed after the three-minute break.
Bangladesh did not enforce the follow-on
Ireland began the third day on Friday at 98 for 5, and the visitors showed resilience through a solid sixth-wicket stand of 81 runs between Lorcan Tucker and Stephen Doheny.
The partnership was broken by Taijul Islam, who bowled Doheny for 46 off 77 balls. Andy McBrine fell for a duck soon after, also dismissed by Taijul.
Tucker then added another valuable 74-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Jordan Neill. Tucker eventually remained unbeaten on 75 off 171 deliveries, hitting seven fours, while Neill scored 49 off 83 before being caught by Mominul Haque giving Ebadot Hossain his first Test wicket in two and a half years.
The pacer had returned from a long injury layoff during the Sri Lanka series in June but went wicket-less in that match.
Taijul struck again to remove Matthew Humphreys for 4, ending Ireland’s innings at 265 in 88.3 overs.
The left-arm spinner delivered a superb spell, taking 4 wickets for just 76 runs in 35.3 overs, including six maidens.
Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Murad picked up two wickets each.
Despite the opportunity, Bangladesh chose not to enforce the follow-on, possibly to give Mushfiqur Rahim, playing his 100th Test, another chance at a century or to pile further pressure on Ireland.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy provided a solid start for Bangladesh with a composed 60 off 91 balls, striking six boundaries before being dismissed lbw by Gavin Hoey.
At the other end, Shadman Islam remained unbeaten on a steady 69 off 110 deliveries, anchoring the innings with five fours.
Mominul joined him late in the day and made an immediate impact, staying not out on 19 from 21 balls with four boundaries, as Bangladesh continued to build a commanding position.
Bangladesh ended the day strongly at 156 for 1, extending their dominance in the match.
