Tucker stars as Ireland recover from the brink to keep Mirpur Test alive

Few would have given Ireland to avoid an innings defeat, let alone stage a turnaround to keep the Mirpur Test alive as they began day three at 27 for four, but the visitors managed to claw their way back into the one-off Test against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.  

Ireland, fielding six debutants, showed tremendous determination to end the third day at 286 for eight after 107 overs in their second innings. The visitors are set to resume fourth day's proceedings with a lead of 131 runs.

Earlier, Bangladesh began the day with spin from both ends, banking on the likes of Taijul Islam and Mehedi Hasan Miraz to dismantle the lower-middle order. However, the likes of Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, and Andy McBrine refused to crumble under pressure.

Following a cautious start by overnight batters Tector and Peter Moore, the latter fell to pacer Shoriful Islam but the Irish remained unfazed from the setback. Tector, also a Test debutant, registered back-to-back fifties and, in the process, found able company in Tucker as the duo combined to a 72-run stand before Taijul bagged his third victim of the innings.

With still a slender lead, Tucker and McBrine saw the second session out and went on to stitch a partnership of 111 runs. Tucker eventually fell to Ebadot Hossain after a brilliant 108, becoming only the ninth batter in Test history to score a ton on debut, but McBrine held the fort for the Irish and remained not out on 71.

Taijul picked the final wicket of the day, of Mark Adair, and raised his tally to nine for the match.