Bangladesh wrapped up a dominant win by an innings and 47 runs over Ireland on the fourth day of the Sylhet Test on Friday, securing a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Having piled up a mammoth 587 in their first innings for a lead of 301, Bangladesh began day four firmly in control, with Ireland already five down in their second innings. Yet the visitors’ lower order made the hosts work hard before the inevitable result arrived.

The morning session brought early tension. Off just the third ball of the day, Taijul Islam drew a loud appeal, only for the decision to be overturned on review. Moments later, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto had a scare when Mehidy Hasan Miraz induced an edge that was put down at slip- offering Ireland a brief lifeline.

Ireland’s resistance was led by Andy McBrine, whose patient 52 anchored the innings. Together with Matthew Humphreys, he added a crucial 31-run stand, frustrating Bangladesh and forcing them into multiple reviews as they hunted wickets.

Taijul eventually broke the stand, and though reviews continued to delay the inevitable, the bowlers kept chipping away. The final substantial challenge came through a 54-run partnership between Barry McCarthy and debutant Jordan Neill, but once Hasan Murad removed Neill, Ireland’s hopes faded.

Murad, the left-arm spinner, finished with four wickets, while Taijul claimed three as the pair combined for seven of Ireland’s second-innings dismissals. Their efforts ensured that Bangladesh cruised to only the fourth innings victory in the nation’s Test history.

Bangladesh’s batting had laid the platform for the triumph.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy led the charge with a superb 171, while Shanto struck his eighth Test century - his fourth as captain. Remarkably, for the first time in Bangladesh’s Test history, all top four batters scored at least 80.

The second Test will start at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on 19 November, where spin-friendly conditions will once again dominate the narrative.

Bangladesh head into the decider with confidence, with Mushfiqur Rahim poised to make his 100th Test appearance, a landmark moment for the veteran wicketkeeper-batter.