After opting to bat, Ireland worked hard through multiple partnerships to reach 270/8 by stumps, with both sides finishing the day evenly poised.
The pitch offered slow turn and occasional grip, which brought Bangladesh’s spinners into the game as the day progressed.
Ireland recovered impressively after losing captain Andy Balbirnie for a duck in the first over.
Paul Stirling (60 off 76) gave early momentum with positive strokeplay, adding 96 runs with Cade Carmichael. Carmichael played the anchor’s role, compiling a patient 59 off 129, holding the innings together through the middle session.
Bangladesh gained control in the post-lunch phase as spin took over.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz led the attack with 3 for 50, finding drift and turn to break partnerships at key moments.
Debutant Hasan Murad supported well with 2 for 47 in his debut Test, while senior left-armer Taijul Islam chipped in with an important wicket.
Middle-order pair Curtis Campher (44) and Lorcan Tucker (41) both got starts but couldn’t push on, each falling as Ireland tried to consolidate. Late in the day, Jordan Neill (30) and Barry McCarthy (21 not out)* added valuable runs to push the total towards respectability.
Neill trapped lbw by Taijul on the final ball of the day, confirmed after Ireland reviewed, wicket upheld, closing play with Ireland 270/8.
