Chris Brown. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Nov 19, 2025 (BSS) - Ireland spin bowling coach Chris Brown lavished 
praise on offspinner Andy McBrine for his tireless effort in keeping the 
visitors competitive on Day 1 of the second Test against Bangladesh at the 
Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

McBrine bowled 26 overs and claimed all four Bangladesh wickets for 82 runs 
as the hosts finished the day on 292-4.

"Throughout the day McBrine was outstanding - four for 80-odd off the 28 or 
29 overs he bowled. His control was excellent," Brown said. 

"He got into his work really well and thoroughly deserved the rewards he got 
today. I thought he was outstanding from start to finish."

Brown, however, rued the missed opportunities in the field, particularly 
against Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim, saying Ireland could have taken 
the control had those chances been taken.

"Between lunch and tea, I think we bowled really well. There were a few 
chances, and if we had converted even two of them, the picture might have 
been slightly different," he said.

"There were three chances - one fairly straightforward, the other two quite 
difficult. On another day, they go to hand. But overall, I was pleased with 
how the day went."

Ireland appeared to slow down noticeably in the final 30 minutes, which 
Bangladesh players felt denied Mushfiqur Rahim a century in his 100th Test as 
he remained stranded on 99 at stumps.

Brown dismissed suggestions of deliberate time-wasting, explaining that the 
team simply needed time to set fields properly for two well-set batters.

"We were just thinking about setting different fields. Look, the lads - Liton 
and Mushfiqur - played brilliantly, and Mushfiqur will have to wait until 
tomorrow," Brown remarked. 

"That partnership between him and Das was really good. We'll come back in the 
morning and try to break our way through."

Bangladesh had hoped for one more over to give Mushfiqur a chance to complete 
his milestone, but Brown clarified that the decision to call stumps rested 
solely with the match officials.

"At the end of the day, the two umpires out there are extremely experienced. 
They call time. When it's time, that's it - you come off."