When Cricket Ireland and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) finalized their 2025-26 schedule, few expected the tour to ditch ODIs entirely — but that’s exactly what happened. Ireland’s upcoming trip to Bangladesh, running from November 11 to December 2, 2025, will feature two Test matches and three T20Is, with no One Day Internationals at all. The change came after Cricket Ireland requested a reduction in the original plan — which included two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is — and both boards agreed to swap one Test for an extra T20I. It’s a tactical shift, not a compromise. For Ireland, it’s about survival in subcontinent conditions. For Bangladesh, it’s about dominance. And for fans? It’s a rare chance to see a rising team test itself against a home powerhouse on their own terms.
The Fixtures: A Timeline of Battle
The series kicks off at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium on November 11, 2025, with the first Test starting at 10:00 AM local time. The pitch there has seen brutal performances before — in a 2023 warm-up match, Bangladesh declared at 587/8, with Mahmudul Hasan Joy smashing 171, while Ireland collapsed to 286 and then 254, losing by an innings. This time, Ireland arrives with more grit, but the conditions won’t care.
The second Test moves to the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, from November 19–23. That’s the same ground where Ireland fought back from 51/5 in their second innings during the 2023 Test, thanks to Lorcan Tucker’s debut century and a 111-run stand with Andy McBrine. This time, Tucker will be the veteran, McBrine the anchor. Bangladesh’s 476 in that match, led by Litton Das’s 128, showed how easily home batsmen can exploit spin-heavy tracks.
The T20I series begins on November 27 at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram — a venue known for its slow, turning surface and electric crowds. The second T20I follows two days later at the same ground. The finale, on December 2, returns to Mirpur, where Bangladesh’s spinners have historically strangled visiting sides. The match starts at 2:00 PM local time — a rare afternoon game in a country where evening matches dominate.
Historical Dominance: Why This Series Matters
Let’s be clear: Bangladesh has owned Ireland in every format. In their lone Test encounter — in Dhaka, 2023 — Bangladesh won by an innings. In 16 ODIs, Bangladesh has won 11. In eight T20Is, they’ve taken five. Ireland’s wins? Two in ODIs, two in T20Is — both against the odds, both memorable. That’s not just parity. That’s resilience.
What makes this tour different is intent. Ireland isn’t here to make up the numbers. They’re here to learn. The team’s coaching staff has been studying pitch reports from Sylhet’s abrasive, abrasive surface and Mirpur’s turning turners. They’ve been drilling on spin bowling drills in Dublin’s indoor nets since March. This isn’t a warm-up. It’s a trial by fire.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh sees this as validation. After their recent World Cup exit, they’re rebuilding momentum. This series — especially the Tests — will test whether their young spinners like Hasan Murad and Taijul Islam can dominate consistently. And with Litton Das and Mahmudul Hasan Joy in peak form, the home side has the firepower to make this a statement tour.
How to Watch: Global Access, Local Passion
Cricket Ireland confirmed on its official website that all matches will be streamed live on YouTube, free to fans worldwide. That’s rare. Most associate free streaming with associate nations — but Ireland, now a full member since 2017, is making access a priority. For Irish expats in the UK, Australia, or Canada, it’s a lifeline. For Bangladeshi fans, it’s a chance to cheer their heroes on a global stage.
The crowds in Sylhet and Chattogram will be packed. Mirpur’s 27,000-seat stadium will likely sell out. The atmosphere? Electric. In 2023, when Ireland’s Paul Stirling and Matthew Humphreys fought back against the odds, the crowd’s roar was described as “a tidal wave of Bengali pride.” This time, it’ll be a battle of cultures — Ireland’s quiet determination versus Bangladesh’s explosive energy.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Scoreboard
This series is about legitimacy. Ireland’s path to becoming a consistent Test contender has been rocky. They’ve beaten England in T20Is. They’ve upset Pakistan in ODIs. But they’ve never truly conquered the subcontinent — not in Tests, not in sustained conditions. Winning even one Test here would be historic. Drawing both? That’s a seismic shift.
For Bangladesh, it’s about proving they’re not just a T20 powerhouse. They’ve won ICC events in the shorter formats, but Test cricket remains their Achilles’ heel. This series is a chance to show they can outlast, outthink, and outspin a determined opponent over five days. A 2-0 series win would silence critics who say their Test team lacks depth.
And for cricket as a whole? It’s a reminder that the game’s future isn’t just in the big three. It’s in the clashes between teams like Ireland and Bangladesh — hungry, evolving, and fiercely proud.
What’s Next?
After this tour, Ireland will head to Zimbabwe in early 2026 for a three-match T20I series — a chance to reset before their 2027 World Cup qualifiers. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will host Sri Lanka in January and Australia in February, using this series as a springboard.
One thing’s certain: the world will be watching. Not just because of the scores, but because this isn’t just cricket. It’s identity. It’s ambition. It’s two teams rewriting their stories, one over, one innings, one match at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ireland drop the ODIs from the Bangladesh tour?
Cricket Ireland requested the removal of one Test match to reduce player fatigue, but both boards agreed to replace the entire ODI leg with an extra T20I. The decision prioritized shorter-format exposure ahead of the 2027 T20 World Cup qualifiers, where Ireland needs to prove consistency against top-tier teams in high-pressure games.
Has Ireland ever won a Test match in Bangladesh?
No. Ireland has played only one Test against Bangladesh — in Dhaka in 2023 — and lost by an innings. They’ve never won a Test in the subcontinent. Their best performance came when Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine staged a 111-run partnership after being 51/5, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Bangladesh’s 476-run first-innings total.
Which players should fans watch out for during the series?
For Ireland, keep an eye on Lorcan Tucker — now a seasoned Test batter — and Andy McBrine, whose all-round skills make him vital in spin-heavy conditions. For Bangladesh, Litton Das and Mahmudul Hasan Joy are in career-best form, while young spinners Hasan Murad and Taijul Islam will be tested by Ireland’s aggressive middle order.
Can Ireland win a T20I in Bangladesh?
It’s possible, but unlikely. Bangladesh has won five of their eight T20Is against Ireland, including the last three in a row. The slow, turning pitches in Chattogram and Mirpur favor home spinners. But Ireland’s pace-bowling depth and Paul Stirling’s power-hitting could surprise if the pitch plays true early.
Why is this series important for Ireland’s Test status?
Ireland’s Test status is tied to performance. Winning even one match in Asia would signal they’re no longer just a T20 side. The ICC’s future Test rankings may depend on results like these — and a draw in either Test could keep Ireland in the top 10, avoiding relegation threats in 2026.
Where can international fans watch the matches?
All matches will be streamed live and free on YouTube via links posted on Cricket Ireland’s official website. The Bangladesh Cricket Board will also broadcast the games domestically. No paywalls, no region locks — a rare move that reflects both boards’ commitment to growing the game globally.
