In a gripping contest between Bangladesh and Ireland, an earthquake briefly disrupted the second Test match in Dhaka. The seismic event registered a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale, originating approximately 25 miles east of the capital. The tremor shook the Shere Bangla National Stadium, causing officials to pause the play for several moments.
Earthquake’s Impact on the Match
The earthquake’s unexpected arrival startled players and staff alike. Ireland’s team manager, Chris Siddell, described the experience: “It started almost like a train passing close by, then the dressing room really shook.” A few staff members initially mistook the quake for someone jostling their office chairs. Upon realizing the situation, everyone promptly moved towards the exit onto the field.
Fortunately, the ordeal lasted about 15 seconds, with players feeling surprised yet confused. Siddell noted, “It’s not like playing in New Zealand where it’s well known that earthquakes happen.” After confirming their safety and checking for aftershocks, the game resumed.
Match Progression
After the brief delay, Ireland resumed their innings but ultimately ended with a total of 265 runs. They fell short of the 277run followon target, with Lorcan Tucker topscoring with a resilient 71 not out on a challenging pitch.
- Bangladesh first innings: 476
- Top Scorers:
- L Das: 128
- M Rahim: 128
- M Haque: 63
- MH Miraz: 47
- Ireland first innings: 265
- Top Scorers:
- L Tucker: 75 not out
- J Neill: 49
- S Doheny: 46
Rather than forcing Ireland to bat again, Bangladesh opted to continue their innings. Openers Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy made significant contributions, finishing the evening at 156 runs for the loss of only one wicket. This puts Bangladesh in a commanding position with an impressive lead of 367 runs, eyeing a potential 20 series victory.