Bangladesh are in a good position as a team in the ongoing Sylhet Test against Ireland. Mahmudul Hasan Joy's century and half-centuries from Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque gave the hosts a 52-run lead on the second day. There was hope of extending that lead, but at the same time, former captain Mominul also raised the possibility of a century after a year. But he had to return with 18 runs to regret.

Bangladesh's total at the end of the second day's play yesterday (Wednesday) was 338 runs for 1 wicket. The two unbeaten batsmen could not last long (19 balls) when they came out to play on the third day today (Thursday). Both Mominul and Joy returned with a gap of just 9 balls. After being dismissed by Barry McCarthy, Mominul scored 82 and Joy returned with a career-best innings of 171 runs.

The previous day had been a disappointing one for the visiting Ireland. Bangladesh took a 52-run lead after surpassing their first innings total of 286. The Irish started the third day in fine fashion. Despite having the opportunity to take the new ball at the end of the 80th over yesterday, skipper Andy Balbirnie did not take it. This morning, they struck their first blow with the new ball and returned the victory. The right-handed batsman, who was on course for his first double century, was caught by wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker while playing a ball well outside off McCarthy.

This broke the 173-run partnership between Joy and Mominul. Before returning to the pavilion, Joy had scored 171 runs off 286 balls, with the help of 14 fours and 4 sixes. It was McCarthy who dismissed Mominul in just 9 balls. The delivery was outside the off-stump, but it took a slight turn and went inwards. Mominul probably didn't expect that. The ball touched the edge of his bat and was caught by Balburn at second slip.

Mominul had scored a century in his last international Test in September 2024. He stood alone in the midst of the team's disaster in Kanpur against India, playing an unbeaten innings of 107 runs. After that, the former captain batted 3 half-centuries in 9 innings, playing an unbeaten innings of 87 runs, but the wait for a century was increasing. Mominul extended that again today. He scored 82 runs off 132 balls with five fours and two sixes. Bangladesh, who lost 3 wickets for 346 runs, had a lead of 60 runs.