Earthquake halts play briefly in BAN vs IRE Test in Dhaka; tremors felt in Guwahati on eve of IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

In a surprise turn of events, an earthquake halted play on Day 3 of the second Test between Bangladesh and Ireland in Dhaka on Friday, November 21. The play stopped for three minutes as the crowd looked panicked while players and umpires gathered together on the ground.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the jolts were felt at around 10.38 am local time (10.08 am IST). The magnitude of the earthquake was recorded at 5.5 on the Richter Scale. The epicentre – Madhhabdi, is situated 40 kilometers from Dhaka. At least two buildings have been damaged with no casualties.

The report added that the crowd searched for open areas to escape, while some of them tried to get closer to the playing area. Meanwhile, people from the five-storey media centre building evacuated it quickly and tried to move to safe spaces.

As per reports, the tremors were also felt in northern parts of India - Kolkata and Guwahati, which is set to host the first-ever Test as India face South Africa in the second of the two-match series, beginning on Saturday, November 22.

Play resumes after earthquake; Bangladesh stay on top of Ireland in 2nd Test

Bangladesh were on top of Ireland as play resumed after the earthquake halted things for a few minutes.

At the time of writing, the hosts were 69 without loss, with openers Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam at the crease. They are leading by 280 runs.

Batting first, Bangladesh put up 476 in their first innings. Litton Das and Mushfiqur Rahim smashed centuries, scoring 128 (192) and 106 (214). Rahim, in particular, became the first Bangladesh player to hit a century in his 100th Test. Andy McBrine starred with the ball for Ireland, finishing with figures of 6/109, while Matthew Humphreys and Gavin Hoey bagged two wickets apiece.

In response, Ireland were bundled out for 265 in their first innings. Lorcan Turcan top-scored with 75 off 171 deliveries, while Stephen Doheny and Jordan Neill chipped in with 46 (77) and 49 (83), respectively.

Taijul Islam emerged as the leading wicket-taker for Bangladesh, bagging a four-wicket haul. Khaled Ahmed and Hasan Murad also took two apiece.

The hosts are leading the two-match series 1-0 following their innings and 47-run win in the series opener in Sylhet.

Follow BAN vs IRE 2025 2nd Test live score and updates here.

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Edited by James Kuanal