Stirling, Carmichael feast on Bangladesh's butterfingers

They stabilised the innings after Mahmud removed Balbirnie for a duck

Mohammad Isam

11-Nov-2025 • Updated 2 hrs ago

Lunch Ireland 94 for 1 (Stirling 58*, Carmichael 30*, Mahmud 1-29) vs Bangladesh

Ireland 94 for 1 (Stirling 58*, Carmichael 30*) v Bangladesh

Ireland feasted on Bangladesh's butterfingers to get into a commanding position in the first session of the Sylhet Test. The visitors went to lunch on 94 for 1, with Paul Stirling and debutant Cade Carmichael putting on all the runs in the session for the second wicket.

Stirling, opening in Test cricket for only the second time, struck 58 not out with nine fours. He played some exquisite shots through the off side, square-driving and cutting the ball at ease. Young Carmichael was more sceptical but looked good as a debutant. He was unbeaten on 30 at lunch.

The home side had made the perfect start. Hasan Mahmud removed Andy Balbirnie for a duck with the fourth ball of the match: his typically jag-back delivery.

Bangladesh then went on to drop three catches between the fourth and sixth overs. Shadman Islam started the rut, dropping Stirling at second slip when he was on 8. In the next over, Taijul Islam dropped Carmichael on 10 when he couldn't hold on to a pull shot at short square leg.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz dropped Stirling in the next over. This was a tougher chance at gully, which also hurt the fielder.

The pair, however, turned the corner after the first hour, with the vastly experienced Stirling hammering regular boundaries through the off side. Nahid Rana had his moments, beating the bat a few times, and also suffered the most with the dropped catches, with two going down off his bowling. The other catch was dropped off Mahmud.

Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. @isam84

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