Bangladesh declare after Najmul Hossain Shanto's century gives 301-run lead

Innings Bangladesh 587 for 8 decl (Mahmudul 171, Shanto 100, Humphreys 5-170) lead Ireland 286 by 301 runs

Bangladesh declared on 587 for eight shortly after the tea break on the third afternoon in Sylhet. Ireland have to score 301 runs in their second innings to make the home side bat again. Najmul Hossain Shanto struck his eighth Test century, fourth as captain, while Litton Das made a breezy 60.

Shanto struck 14 boundaries in his 114-ball effort before falling lbw to Andy McBrine two balls after reaching his landmark. It was Shanto's fourth Test century as Bangladesh captain equalling Mushfiqur Rahim's record. After he had resigned last June, the Bangladesh Cricket Board had reinstated Shanto as the Test captain before this series, so this knock was significant for him.

Bangladesh also recovered through Shanto's innings as they had lost two early wickets in the morning session. He added 79 runs for the third wicket with Mushfiqur, who was circumspect in his 23. The run-rate boost on the third day came from the Shanto-Litton fourth-wicket partnership that yielded 98 runs in 17.5 overs. Shanto focused mainly on timing his leg-side shots, particularly the pull, while there were the odd straight drives, too

Litton fell when Harry Tector took a splendid catch running back from mid-on after the batter had skied <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/matthew-humphreys-1263361">Matthew Humphreys. Litton made 60 off 66 balls, with eight fours and a six, all of which were on the on-side.

Fast bowler <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/barry-mccarthy-348059">Barry McCarthy gave Ireland a strong start to the third day, removing both Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Mominul Haque in the first 15 minutes. Mahmudul, who made 171 with 14 fours and four sixes, edged a delivery that moved away from him late. Next over, Mominul couldn't do much but edge a rising delivery against the same bowler. Andy Balbirnie took the simple catch at first slip.