Andy McBrine best figures of 6 wickets for 109 runs (6/109) in the first innings
Andy McBrine Torments Bangladesh Batsmen in Dhaka Test
In what has been a challenging tour of Bangladesh for the Irish cricket team, one name has shone with exceptional brilliance: Andy McBrine. The resilient off-spinner delivered a stunning performance with the ball, securing a monumental six-wicket haul that repeatedly put the experienced Bangladeshi batting line-up under severe pressure on a challenging track at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
His stellar effort, which saw him finish with career-best figures of 6 wickets for 109 runs (6/109) in the first innings of the 2nd Test, stands as a testament to his skill, stamina, and ability to exploit subcontinent conditions. It is a remarkable achievement for the Irish side, especially given that McBrine’s only other Test five-wicket haul also came against the same opposition in the same city—a clear indication that he relishes the battle against the Tigers on their home turf.
The Early Breakthroughs: Turning the Tide
Ireland’s seamers struggled to extract any meaningful movement on the relatively flat morning surface, allowing the Bangladeshi openers, Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy, to put on a solid 52-run stand. However, the introduction of McBrine into the attack changed the entire dynamic of the session.
The Irish skipper, Andrew Balbirnie, quickly turned to his most reliable spin option, and McBrine delivered immediately. He claimed his first breakthrough by trapping the left-handed Shadman Islam leg-before with a beautifully flighted delivery that straightened just enough off the pitch. The wicket required a successful review, highlighting the precision of McBrine‘s work.
He quickly compounded the pressure by inducing a leading edge from the set Joy and then, in a moment of sheer class, clean-bowled Najmul Hossain Shanto. After being struck for a six, McBrine responded instantly with a quicker, fuller ball that angled in and then broke back just enough to rattle the stumps, reducing Bangladesh from a comfortable start to a precarious 95 for 3 at lunch.
A Test of Resilience and Class
The home side is never easily beaten, especially on spinning tracks, and their experienced middle order staged a powerful comeback. A patient, determined partnership developed between Mominul Haque and the centurion Mushfiqur Rahim, who was playing in his 100th Test match. The pair successfully blunted the attack for an extended period, moving the score past the 200-run mark and threatening to take the game away from the visitors.
Yet, McBrine proved to be the golden arm once again. He broke the 107-run stand by dismissing Mominul (63), whose attempted sweep shot resulted in an edge onto his boot and a simple catch for the close-in fielder. Though he couldn’t stop the veteran Mushfiqur and the fluent Litton Das from both registering superb centuries, McBrine continued to toil with unwavering accuracy and control.
Cleaning Up the Tail for a Career-Best
As the innings wore on and the pitch started offering more assistance to the spinners, McBrine returned to complete his dismantling of the tail. He dismissed Hasan Murad and then wrapped up the innings by trapping Khaled Ahmed leg-before, confirming his second Test six-wicket haul and the best figures of his red-ball career.
The final scorecard read 476 all out for Bangladesh, a formidable total powered by two centuries. However, the fact that McBrine was responsible for six of the ten dismissals is a monumental achievement, especially for an Irish bowler playing away in the unforgiving conditions of the subcontinent. His performance provided the necessary teeth to the Irish bowling attack and ensured that the hosts did not cross the intimidating 500-run mark.
McBrine’s battle-hardened spin has provided a much-needed morale boost and a source of genuine pride for the young Irish Test team. While the team faces an uphill task to secure a positive result, McBrine’s ability to consistently challenge world-class batsmen with his guile and relentless precision is a huge positive for the future of Irish Test cricket.
