Mahmudul Hasan Joy leads Bangladesh's batting dominance on Day 2

Mahmudul Hasan Joy's unbeaten 169 formed the backbone of Bangladesh's solid batting response on Day 2 of the Test series opener in Sylhet after Ireland were restricted to 286. Fellow opener Shadman Ismal chipped in 80, while Mominul Haque made 80 not out as the pair continued to frustrate Ireland.

The visitors had just one success in the 85 overs of bowling. Before that, Mahmudul and Shadman made them toil hard in the heat throughout their 168-run opening stand. The duo mixed caution with aggression to sustain their dominance over the Irish bowlers who were either too short or too full.

The opening pair kept getting easy scoring opportunities to go past their fifties shortly before the Lunch break. Ireland's frustration grew further with an hour into the second session and no breakthrough in sight. However, an over after the drinks, Shadman edged one behind in an attempt to cut - falling against the run of play when he was 20 short of the century.

Mominul joined hands with Mahmudul and the duo put on 170 for the unbroken second-wicket stand until stumps. The opener was six short of his hundred at the Tea break, and duly raised the milestone after taking his side past the 200-mark just an over into the final session.

Ireland's attack lacked bite, and the spinners and pacers were punished equally. Mominul, after a steady start, reached his fifty with a pull shot over deep midwicket for six as the hosts continued to find runs at will.

Shortly after taking his team into lead, and then past the 300-run mark, Mahmudul raised his 150 with a six as well. By stumps, the duo had upped the ante to finish 52 ahead of Ireland's first-innings score with nine wickets still intact.

Earlier in the day, Ireland could muster only 16 more runs, albeit at quicker than a run-a-ball, to finish with 286, losing their last two wickets in the morning session.

Brief scores: Bangladesh 338/1 (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 169*, Mominul Haque 80*, Shadman Islam 80; Matthew Humphreys 1-78) lead Ireland 286, by 52 runs.