Three Tosses in a row for Paul Stirling and he chooses to bat first again. Pitch looks dry and Ireland bring in Craig Young for McCarthy, Campher for Little and Ben White for Ben Calitz. Runs on the board and spinners coming into play later in the game is the plan he says. Mehedi opens the attack with his off-spin and thirteen off it, three boundaries for Stirlo. Tim Tector first to go losing his off stump playing across left arm seamer Shoriful Islam. Brother Harry follows in quick succession, and when Tucker is lbw sweeping it's suddenly looking not so rosy for the visitors. Two googlies from Rishad Hossain, the first bowls Campher and the second sees Stirling sweep to deep backward square. Delany opts for the slog sweep and top edges to short third. Adair, heaving from the off, skies Mustafizur to mid on, and an action replay from Humphreys. Dockrell finds long-off and White long-on - making it FIVE outfield catches for Tanzid. Ireland have saved their worst batting display for the match that really counted - miracle required! A wicket for Craig Young, Saif Hassan skying to Adair running back to long-on. Harry Tector thrown the ball and Das holes out at deep mid-wicket. Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Emon take it to 79-2 at Drinks, and race to the win in just 22 more deliveries. No Christmas miracle for Ireland, Bangladesh take the series 2-1.

Ireland fast out of the blocks again today with only a ten minute delay due to a floodlight failure stalling their charge. A third umpire decision on a catch in the deep sees the departure of Stirling and two wickets in a Mahedi Hasan over accounts for both Tectors. A third for him removes a swinging Ben Calitz to a Das stumping and the brakes have suddenly come on - can Ireland pick up the pace again? They haven't had an over of more than 8 runs since the end of the Powerplay and now only five more overs left. No big finish for Ireland with pace off and digging it into the pitch doing the job for the hosts. From 97-3 at half distance only 73 runs were scored in the second ten - disappointing. Good start by the hosts and it takes a brilliant stop and throw by McCarthy off his own bowling to make the breakthrough, Bangladesh looking much more assured at the crease today with Josh Little's first over going for 18. Emon plays a paddle against Delany and falls to a Dockrell catch behind square one ball before the drinks break. An incomprehensible third umpire decision costs Little a wicket - as he decides Delany's 'towel' touched the rope as he completed a throw back catch on the boundary! The Bangladesh 'worm' moves ahead at the end of the twelfth over, that weak second half with the bat looks like costing Ireland the win. Just a run a ball needed from the last 5 overs when Adair traps Das lbw - too little too late? A twenty three yard delivery from Delany sees Saif Hasan hole out at long-on - two new men at the crease. Tucker with a runout as the quick single is attempted and it's 16 needed off the final two overs. An Adair off-cutter is chopped on - 14 off 10. Saifuddin swinging at everything launches a maximum over extra and pulls a boundary - just 3 required off the final over from Little and Bangladesh win with two balls to spare. That weak second half with the bat indeed costing Ireland the series win. 1-1 it is with the decider on Tuesday.

Ireland put in to bat and Stirling and Tim Tector start with a flurry of boundaries. Runs for everyone that gets to the crease with Ireland 77-2 at the halfway stage, Harry Tector goes on to a 37 ball half-century, and rubs salt into the wounds with two maximums in the final over that went for 17. A good total on the board - and we've all heard the team talk - "A couple of tight overs at the start now lads." - But it's better than that, as Humphreys has Tanzid caught in his opening over, and Mark Adair goes one better with wickets in each of his first two! Barry McCarthy on to bowl, Barry McCarthy wicket, the pattern continues. Two overs from Delany go for 24 and at the halfway stage it's 59-4 with 123 needed of the second 10. McCarthy back on and a wicket first ball - a great Little catch at Third-man diving forward. Humphreys back and bowls an over with 3 wickets and 3 wides including a brilliant legside stumping - Crazy stuff! Ireland drop a few chances late on but they can afford to at this stage. Towhid Hridoy finishes unbeaten, a lone hand taking 15 off Campher's twentieth over. Fantastic win for Ireland, 1-0 with the next game on Saturday.

Curtis Campher completed a well deserved half century as Ireland continued to battle on the final day. They lost McBrine, a third lbw in the innings for Taijul Islam, while Jordan Neill got to 30 (5x4,1x6) in his usual effective way. Gavin Hoey proved to be a more than capable partner for Campher adding 54 for the ninth wicket. But when the wicket came it was two in two for Hasan Murad as Humphreys is bowled first ball. A battling Curtis Campher receives lots of congratulations from the Bangladesh players as he finishes unbeaten after his marathon 259 ball effort. Eight wickets shared by the two left-arm spinners, five of them LBW, coaches take from that what you will. So the hosts complete a 2-0 series win and it's now on to the T20s which start this coming Thursday. Hopefully we will have better news to bring you over your Cornflakes then.

A brief bright spell from Ireland who took the wickets of Islam and Shanto inside the opening five overs but otherwise for them it has been a day like the others before it. Islam played back and was trapped lbw by one that kept low, while one from Jordan Neill took-off, skipper Shanto fending it off lobbing gently to Balbirnie in the gully. Signs of what Ireland must contend with later. The lead at Lunch was 491, so what are we waiting for, 500+ or Haque's century? The lead passes 500, but no century for Haque who drives Hoey to Campher at shortish extra cover, and the hosts decide they have enough. Ireland's target 509! Balbirnie gone, lbw on the back foot to left-arm spinner Taijul Islam and Stirling follows bat/pad to short leg. Some turning, some sliding on, some climbing, some keeping low, batting a lottery. Fifty partnership between Tector and Carmichael but broken by Murad's first delivery - clipping leg stump and umpire's call. A battling fifty by Harry Tector held up the hosts but coming down the pitch to Murad he fails to clear deepish mid-off. Tucker survives an edge that is taken on the bounce by keeper Das but falls next over in similar fashion. Doheny lbw, a third wicket for Islam. Ireland ensure the game goes to the final day but it will just be a question of how long they can delay the inevitable.

An 81 run partnership for the sixth wicket between Lorcan Tucker and Stephen Doheny the highlight of the morning session. More turn and bounce on offer as the pitch deteriorates further, not to mention a 5.5 magnitude earthquake that caused an evacuation of the Press-box! Doheny and McBrine out in the same Islam over, both to 'unplayble' deliveries, but Tucker and Neill add another half century partnership before the new ball is taken. And it accounts for Neill, cramped for room and undone by the bounce with Hoey edging to the keeper three overs later. Ireland are bowled out just 11 runs short of saving the follow-on, when Humphreys is caught at point playing a reverse sweep!! No matter, Bangladesh opt to bat again with what is already a decisive lead. Openers Mahmudul Joy and Shadman Islam carefully built that past 300 with the chance, when it came not taken. Just a single success late in the day with Mahmudul Joy lbw to Gavin Hoey. The lead is 367 and it's now just a case of when will Bangladesh call a halt with two whole days to get the ten wickets they need. One could well be enough.

Another day of toil for Ireland with the hosts building a huge total. Mushfiqur, 99* overnight, completed his century joining a select group of 10 others who scored a ton in their 100th Test. He edged to Balbirnie shortly afterwards and there was a second for Humphreys with Litton Das toe-ending a slog to Stirling at slip. Bangladesh swinging away for some quick runs and Andy McBrine wraps the innings up collecting his sixth wicket, a great exhibition from the Donemana man. Paul Stirling falls lbw after an opening flurry. Lots of appeals, lots of reviews and with 50% overturned it could be pot luck later in the day when both sides run out of reviews. No doubt about the second wicket, Balbirnie inside edging a forward defensive shot to slip via his pad. Some turning, some not, a wasted review as Carmichael is trapped lbw on the back foot - can't imagine he'll be the last. Campher goes without scoring, a defensive prod and off stump rattled. Tector burns Ireland's last review playing 'French Cricket', and on umpires call. Ireland going nowhere fast, four men round the bat catching and you know things won't get any easier tomorrow. The visitors just don't look to be equipped for what they are facing here.

Three wickets for Andy McBrine in the first session of the match and Mominul dropped just after in what was a promising start by Ireland. Doheny and Hoey in the side today for McCarthy and Young so Neill and Campher just to take the shine off the ball before the three spinners take over. I guarantee there won't be any problems with over rates for either side in this match. A partnership between Mominul Haque and Musfiqur Rahim worth 97 at Tea with three dropped catches not helping Ireland's cause. McBrine breaks the stand at 107 to get his fourth courtesy of a freak dismissal. Can Ireland keep chipping away? They take the new ball hoping for some wickets late in the day. Mushfiqur Rahim playing in his 100th Test hoping to reach his century before the close. Has to settle for 99 not out much to the disappointment of the home crowd. The fifth wicket stand is worth 90 and counting, Tough day for Ireland who will reflect on those missed chances.

Ireland managed to stretch the game past lunch on Day 4 with Andy McBrine completing one of his trademark half-centuries. Andy Balbirnie reappeared batting at number 8 and added 82 with McBrine before McCarthy and Neill each made thirties. Not many positives to report after Ireland's winning streak hits the buffers. The second Test starts next Wednesday in Mirpur, hopefully with lessons learned. Ireland architects of their own downfall and the match decided after each side's first innings.

Barry McCarthy gave Ireland the start they desperately needed with the wickets of both set batsmen in his first two overs, Joy edging behind and Haque fending one to Balbirnie at second slip. It proved tougher for the Irish attack thereafter but Matthew Humphreys did collect his second wicket before lunch. Bangladesh continue after the interval as before with skipper Shanto completing his century. Humphreys completes a five-for immediately after tea, and the declaration comes with the lead 301. Balbirnie not opening - 'a finger sprain while fielding' the official word. So Carmichael it is, but he leaves the gate wide open and Nahid Rana nips in to clip the top of middle stump. Paul Stirling makes 43 before being run out after the ball rebounded to slip from a missed stumping. Very tight but bat on the line according to tv umpire Illingworth. Harry Tector trapped lbw - reviewed but hitting middle of middle. Campher gone too as he drives to short cover, quickly followed by Tucker, lbw after a home review. Still no Balbirnie - McBrine joined by nightwatchman Humphreys and they survive to the close. Only a matter of time tomorrow you feel before the hosts seal an emphatic win. Another totally dominant day for Bangladesh.

The last two Ireland wickets added just a further 16 this morning with Barry McCarthy making 31. No success for the Ireland attack with Bangladesh openers Shadman and Joy adding 168 before Islam edges Humphreys to Tucker and the Not Out decision by umpire Rana is overturned on review. Ireland given a lesson in Test match batting as Joy completed a century off 190 balls and showed no sign of stopping there. He survived a dropped catch on 156 with five overs left in the day and will start afresh in the morning, Bangladesh with a lead of 52 runs, 9 wickets in hand, Ireland with a mountain to climb tomorrow just to stay in the game.

Paul Stirling and Cade Carmichael added 96 for the second wicket after Andy Balbirnie was out LBW in the first over without scoring. Stirling next to go and Tector just one run later. Fifty partnership broken with Carmichael given out on review, a second wicket for left-arm spinner Mehidy Hasan. Tucker and Campher go after tea, quickly followed by McBrine and things suddenly aren't looking so rosy for Ireland. Spinners squeezing Ireland as the rate drops below three. New ball taken but Jordan Neill (30) and Barry McCarthy (21*) added late runs in a valuable 8th wicket stand of 48 ended by the dismissal of Neill to the last ball of the day. Both sides will feel they could have done better with the hosts dropping at least four catches and Ireland's set batters unable to kick on and make a hundred. There are signs of variable bounce and turn so runs on the board could be vital. We will know more when Bangladesh get the chance to bat. It's good to have Test cricket back on the menu - will shorten the winter months..

Half centuries from Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker propelled Ireland to 196 for 3 in the first T20I at Malahide. Skipper Paul Stirling cleared the ropes four times on his way to 34, adding 57 in 51 balls with fellow opener Ross Adair (26). Tector and Tucker then upped the ante with a third wicket stand of 123 in 11.2 overs dispatching anything remotely loose. Tector top-scored with an unbeaten 61 from 36 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) becoming the fourth Irish batter to pass 1500 T20I runs in the process. Tucker also made a half century, hitting four maximums and three fours in a 36-ball 55. A fine effort - could it be enough against a much-changed England line-up? England race out of the traps as Phil Salt and Jos Buttler (28) make a dent in the chase with an opening stand of 74 in just 4.4 overs. Their fun ended by Matthew Humphreys. Phil Salt reaches his 50 from 20 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) - wonderful batting. Harry Tector gets revenge after Jacob Bethell went 4,4,6. Salt continues to impress as England reach 130 for 2 at the halfway stage of their innings. Gareth Delany - playing his 100th international - almost has a wicket with his first ball, but gets Rehan Ahmed with his third. England coasting towards victory but lose a fourth as the expensive Graham Hume gets Sam Curran (27) and then Phil Salt (89). A second wicket for Humphreys as Banton caught but just 6 needed. England win by 4 wickets, more comfortable than it looks. Phil Salt the difference. Superb Man of the Match display. Ireland battled back well but too little too late after the initial brutal assault did the damage.

Not much subtlety on show at Bready as the ball goes flying over the boundary time and time again. The first innings saw the West Indians plunder 20 sixes and 20 fours off the Irish bowlers to record their second-highest total in T20Is. Liam McCarthy's four overs went for 81 runs - only M Jobarteh, for Gambia against Zimbabwe, has conceded more (93) in a T20 international match. Neither bowling 'attack' earned any plaudits as Ireland responded with 11 sixes and 13 fours, with a century stand between Ross Adair (48) and Harry Tector (38) the high point. Only Matthew Humphreys (2-16) and Akeal Hosein (3-27) would have been in a hurry to check their figures in match that saw 450 runs scored in 40 overs.

Wet, Wet, Wet in Magheramason with the toss delayed and the Windies social media reporting that the team have not yet left the hotel. Chucking it down and the radar showing worse to come even the optimists are struggling to predict any play today. Well the update has arrived courtesy of the 3.45 inspection, and as expected it's not good news. No prospect of play with incessant rain and more on the way. Hoping for better weather on Saturday for the second of the three game series.

At the Toss Ireland opted to bowl, giving first games in the series to Humphreys, Hand and Tim Tector. Tough going at the start for the hosts with early wickets for Craig Young and Matthew Humphreys, before Gareth Delany claimed two in his opening over. But attacking innings from Sikandar Raza and Sunday’s hero Tony Munyonga, plus some big blows from Takisha Musekiwa at the end pushed Zimbabwe past 140. On a pitch that's a bit up and down, with a very sluggish outfield Zimbabwe are confident that they have enough for the win given those conditions. But rain at the change of innings meant the covers came on and with time running out for even a five over chase the Umpires called a halt to proceedings. A damp end to a tour that saw Ireland win the Test but lose both white ball series.

After the loss of Paul Stirling to the last ball of the opening over Lorcan Tucker added 53 with Harry Tector before falling to a boundary catch with the score on 99. After that the Ireland innings never regained any momentum as wickets fell and they finished some 20 runs short of the first innings average on the ground. A sensational start to the chase with three wickets from Craig Young in as many overs but Ryan Burl and Sikandar Raza added 48 before both fell in quick succession and it was left to Tony Munyonga to see his side home with an unbeaten 43.

First of the 3-match series today with match 2 tomorrow and match 3 a Day/Night game on Tuesday. Over 2 hours lost before a 9 over game got under way with Ireland including legspinners Ben White and Gareth Delany in their lineup, with Neil Rock as Stirling's opening partner. Big hitting from Ryan Burl whose 36 came off just 18 balls (2x4, 3x6) took Zimbabwe to 77- hard to judge a total in such a shortened innings. But more rain arrived during the change of innings ruling out any further play, let's hope for better weather tomorrow.

Slow going for Ireland after being asked to bat first in conditions where it was hard to force the pace. Attempts at aggression from Stirling and Campher cost them their wickets before Balbirnie and Tector added 86, Balbirnie falling on the stroke of the second drinks break. Fifty and out for Tector leaving Tucker and Mark Adair to add a further fifty seven to close out the innings at a vulnerable looking 240. The hosts race out of the traps with a record 77 in the Powerplay, Ben Curran hitting 10 fours in a rapid half century, and the hundred comes up inside 15 overs. Hume with the breakthrough in the twentieth over, Bennett lbw, but Ervine is quickly into his stride and it was all one way traffic from then on. Ervine to fifty, Curran to a maiden ODI century, and an unbroken century partnership Ervine sealing the win with a 6. As emphatic as it gets.

Wickets for Mark Adair, Josh Little and Andy McBrine reduced the hosts to 77/3. A fourth wicket stand of 74 was ended by Campher who took three wickets in quick succession, but a Sikander Raza half-century and a run-a-ball 35 from Mazakadza carried the hosts to a competitive 245. In Ireland’s reply extra bounce from Blessing Muzarabani saw Balbirnie fend to the keeper but a century partnership between Stirling and Campher put Ireland in the driving seat. Partnership ended at 144 when Campher was lbw to Trevor Gwandu who had a second when a flat-footed Tector flashed at a wide. Stirling finally departed with the score on 200, deceived by a slower ball which he slapped one-handed to extra cover. No pressure on Ireland though who never allowed the rate to reach five an over, Tucker and Dockrell pacing themselves to the win.

Lots of aggression from the Zimbabwe opening pair Ben Curran and Brian Bennett, the left hand- right hand combination working well for the hosts, 60/0 in the Powerplay and 88/0 at the first drinks break. Ireland missing chances in the field but Bennett is unstoppable with a maiden ODI century and only dismissed in the final over for a magnificent 169. Disastrous start to the chase as Balbirnie edges behind first ball. Paul Stirling up and running with back-to-back sixes, but he too edges behind and Campher gives Marumani his third catch on 44. Game finely balanced at 30 overs, but Tucker then Tector both fall with the rate climbing. Boundaries by McBrine and Dockrell keeps Ireland just about in contention, but Muzarambani gets both in four balls and Ngrava wraps up the win. Ireland simply left themselves too much to do.

Nyamhuri lbw Humphreys. Pitching on, straightening. Missed sweep. Only doubt height. Five-fer! Make that six. Madhavere b Humphreys 84 Wide of the crease, played back, ball hurries through and hits off-stump. Andy McBrine with the final wicket and Ireland clinch a 63-run win, Three Test wins in a row. Great fightback from 31 for 5 on that first morning. Andy McBrine gets the MOM award for his unbeaten 90 and wickets in the first innings - he was also the recipient in the win last July. When is the next Test for Ireland? Who knows? Surely time that cricket was prioritised instead of money? "But sure what do I know?" as Roy Torrens once said.

A twenty minute delay due to some drizzle and a wet outfield but then a perfect start for Ireland as Gwandu's stumps go flying last ball of McCarthy's opening over. Only twelve overs were possible before rain returned to take a huge chunk of the day but Humphreys with the wicket of Bennett in his first over back. Wesly Madhevere holding things together for the hosts adding 39 with skipper Johnathan Campbell before another brief stoppage for rain. Fifty for Madhevere and fifty partnership on the resumption but Humphreys holds a stinging return catch to remove Campbell and induces Mayavo to edge to Stirling at slip. Only 53 overs in a rain shortened day - gripping stuff.

No decision to make about a Declaration as Ireland are bowled out for 298 setting Zimbabwe a target of 292 for the win. Tense going in the morning session for Ireland with Campher and Balbirnie adding a vital 75 for the second wicket. With the pitch now offering considerable spin Ireland lost four wickets in the afternoon session, a two-edged sword, that will surely be to their benefit bowling last. An hour's play left in the day as Zimbabwe start their second innings and it's the McCarthy/Tucker combination that achieves the breakthrough, accounting for Ben Curran, as they did in the first innings, before Mark Adair beats Kaitano's defence removing the off stump. Humphreys into the attack with four overs left in the day and traps Welch lbw on the back foot. Ireland's day, now favourites to win on Day 4.

Perfect start to Day 2 from Ireland with two quick wickets from Barry McCarthy, while Nick Welch posted a half-century on his Test debut. McBrine’s off-spin always looked threatening and his three wickets put Ireland into the driving seat after the McCarthy opening spell. Despite that, Ireland couldn’t wrap the innings up and a stubborn last wicket partnership of 67 secures a first innings lead for the hosts with Zimbabwe bowling hero Blessing Muzarabani posting his highest Test score. Very much honours even after the first two innings of the match. A quick start to the Ireland second innings, PJ Moor with a flurry of boundaries before edging behind leaving his opening partner Balbirnie and a watchful Curtis Campher (14 off 43) to see out the day, Ireland’s overnight lead is 76.

Balbirnie, Moor, Campher, Tector and Stirling all out within the first ten overs - 31/5 after electing to bat! Tucker and McBrine added 50 before Tucker dragged on a huge drive leaving McBrine and Adair to see Ireland through to lunch. Adair and McBrine carry their partnership to 127 before Muzarabani has Adair caught behind to claim a five-for. McCarthy goes without scoring to make it six for Muzarabani who for good measure rattles Craig Young on the helmet last ball before Tea. Young departs and it is left to Matthew Humphreys to see McBrine to a century - fingers crossed. Not to be as Humphreys chips to mid wicket. McCarthy with the breakthrough, Ben Curran edging to Lorcan Tucker. Before a 46 run unbroken partnership between Tadudzwanashe Kaitano and debutant Nick Welch saw the hosts safely to stumps.