SYLHET, Bangladesh (November 18, 2025) The Ireland Men’s Test squad is looking to level their two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting Wednesday in Dhaka. Training intensively in the capital, middle-order batter Harry Tector is excited for his return to the venue where he made a memorable debut with twin half-centuries.
The 25-year-old Tector spoke at a press conference today about the challenge ahead, “I think any opportunity you have to play Test cricket is wonderful—it’s such a brilliant format,” Tector said. “It tests you on so many facets, which is what you want as a player. You want to feel that pressure and to be tested at the highest level. We’re looking forward to getting stuck in tomorrow and try to level this series up.”
Tector emphasized the squad’s focus on learning from the first Test defeat in Sylhet. He highlighted several positives from the loss, including the aggressive batting of Paul Stirling (“Stirlo”) at the top of the order and the promising debuts of two young players: Cade Carmichael and Jordan Neill. Carmichael praised for his composure in conditions vastly different from home, scoring a fifty in the first innings and Neil for his “brilliant attributes as the all-rounder,” impressing with his “naturally scored runs.”
Regarding the conditions in Dhaka, Tector noted the variable nature of the pitches. “I think here in Bangladesh, generally, you’ve got to play what’s in front of you on the morning of Day One and roll with it from there, and I think that’s going to be my plan.”
Ireland Men’s head coach, Heinrich Malan, echoed the need for adaptability, acknowledging the history and expected spin-friendly nature of the Dhaka surface. “We’ve obviously had a good look at the surface… We’re expecting it to turn, but we are well aware it will be a different challenge to Sylhet,” Malan stated. He confirmed the team’s winning mindset remains unchanged, regardless of the opponent or location.
Malan pinpointed a key area for improvement from the first Test: better managing the scoring gears.“I feel the major learning we can take into the second Test is that we need to develop an understanding how we can go through those gears a little bit better… You saw in the second innings in Sylhet—we adapted accordingly and had some success. Hopefully, we can try and do that again here, finding that tempo that suits us over the next five days.”
Andrew Balbirnie will captain the Test side.
Key notes on the squad:
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Lorcan Tucker, the Vice-Captain, returns to the ground where he scored his maiden Test century (108 vs. Bangladesh in 2023).
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Mark Adair will join the tour only for the white-ball leg as he continues his recovery from knee surgery.
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The T20I squad, captained by Paul Stirling, is seen as a vital step in preparations for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The second and final Test begins on Wednesday, November 19, in Dhaka at 9:30 am local time.
Tour Fixtures
DateMatchVenueStart Time19-23 NovemberBangladesh Men v Ireland Men – 2nd TestDhaka9.30am27 NovemberBangladesh Men v Ireland Men – 1st T20IChattogram6pm29 NovemberBangladesh Men v Ireland Men – 2nd T20IChattogram6pm2 DecemberBangladesh Men v Ireland Men – 3rd T20IDhaka2pm
