Bangladesh vs Ireland Test: FanCode Exclusive for India, Historic Clash in Sylhet
The first-ever Test match between Bangladesh and Ireland in Sylhet kicks off on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 9:00 AM IST — a milestone moment for both teams and a rare chance for Indian fans to witness a full Test series between two associate nations. With no TV broadcast available in India, the FanCode app and website stand as the only legal way to watch the action live. It’s a quiet revolution in cricket broadcasting: no big channels, no ads on DD Sports, just pure cricket, streamed straight to your phone. And for a country that eats Test cricket like rice, that’s saying something.
Why This Match Matters Beyond the Scoreboard
This isn’t just another fixture on the calendar. It’s the second time these two teams have met in Test cricket — the first being in 2023 at Mirpur, where Bangladesh won by seven wickets. That match was defined by Taijul Islam’s 9-wicket haul (5-58, 4-90) and Mushfiqur Rahim’s gritty 126. For Ireland, Lorcan Tucker announced himself on the global stage with a defiant 108. Now, four years later, both sides return with more experience, more confidence, and a clear mission: prove they belong in Test cricket’s long-term future.The Bangladesh Cricket Board has made it clear this series is part of a broader push to deepen Test participation among associate members. After hosting Zimbabwe and Afghanistan in the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle, bringing Ireland in was a strategic move — not just for revenue, but for credibility. And with Najmul Hossain Shanto confirmed as captain through the next cycle, Bangladesh is signaling stability. His leadership has been calm, consistent, and increasingly effective. He’s not flashy, but he’s the glue holding this evolving team together.
Who’s Playing and What’s New?
Bangladesh’s biggest boost? The return of opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy. After dominating domestic cricket in 2025 with three centuries in four matches, he’s back in the XI after missing the last Test series. His aggressive style could be the spark Bangladesh needs against Ireland’s disciplined attack. The bowling unit, led by Taijul Islam and the fiery Shoriful Islam, will be tested on Sylhet’s spin-friendly pitch.Ireland, under Andrew Balbirnie, brings a side built for resilience. Their top order — including Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell — has shown they can bat long. But their Achilles’ heel remains pace bowling depth. They’ll rely heavily on Josh Little and Mark Adair to break partnerships. The weather in Sylhet in November? Humid, slow, and prone to morning mist — perfect for spinners and tricky for new-ball bowlers.
How to Watch — And Why It’s So Limited
For Indian viewers, the message is simple: if you’re not on FanCode, you’re not watching. No Star Sports, no Sony, no JioCinema. Just FanCode. And yes, that’s intentional. The BCB has been tightening control over streaming rights for associate matches, prioritizing digital platforms that offer analytics, multi-angle feeds, and real-time stats — things traditional TV can’t match. It’s a gamble, but one that’s paying off in engagement. FanCode reported a 300% spike in users during Bangladesh’s last home Test against Afghanistan.In Bangladesh, Gazi TV and T Sports are broadcasting live. T Sports, headquartered in Dhaka’s Bashundhara R/A, also streams internationally via YouTube — a brilliant workaround for fans in the UK and Ireland. Their YouTube channel, updated daily with highlights and press conferences, has become a hub for Irish fans who can’t get access through traditional broadcasters. Cricket Ireland’s own YouTube channel, Cricket Ireland Live, offers supplementary content: player interviews, training clips, and post-match breakdowns. It’s not a substitute for live action, but it keeps the connection alive.
What Comes Next — And Why It’s Bigger Than This Series
The second Test starts on November 19 at the Shere Bangladesh National Stadium in Dhaka — a ground that’s hosted 27 Tests since 2005 and still feels like a fortress for Bangladesh. Then, from November 27 to December 2, the series shifts to T20Is: two in Chattogram, one in Dhaka. That’s where the real fireworks might happen. Ireland’s T20 team has climbed to 10th in the ICC rankings — and they’ve beaten South Africa and Pakistan in recent limited-overs matches. If they can push Bangladesh close in Tests, don’t be surprised if they cause chaos in the shorter format.Behind the scenes, the ICC is watching closely. This series is a test case for whether associate nations can sustain multi-format tours without major funding. Bangladesh’s willingness to host Ireland — and invest in infrastructure like the new Sylhet stadium — could set a precedent. If this works, expect more such series: Scotland vs Sri Lanka, Nepal vs West Indies, Oman vs Zimbabwe. The future of Test cricket isn’t just about the Big Three anymore.
Historical Context: A Story of Growth
When Bangladesh played their first Test in 2000, they lost by an innings. In 2025, they’re hosting Ireland — a team that didn’t even get Test status until 2017. That’s 25 years of progress in one generation. Ireland’s journey is even steeper. They were once seen as a club side with a national team. Now, they have full-time professionals, a high-performance center in Dublin, and players who play county cricket in England. Their captain, Balbirnie, is a former Leinster Lightning all-rounder who now captains his country on the world’s biggest stage.And yet, when the first ball is bowled in Sylhet, none of that history matters. Only the pitch, the pressure, and the passion. For Indian fans, this is a chance to see something rare: a Test match with no superstars, no sponsors shouting from billboards, just pure cricket — the way it used to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t the Bangladesh vs Ireland Test on TV in India?
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has opted for exclusive digital streaming rights with FanCode to maximize revenue and data insights from younger audiences. Traditional broadcasters like Star Sports or Sony don’t have the rights for associate nation matches unless they pay premium fees — which they’re unwilling to do for lower-viewership games. This model is becoming common for non-India matches, especially in Test cricket.
Can I watch the match for free on YouTube?
No, not legally. While T Sports streams the match on YouTube for international viewers, access requires a paid subscription through their app or website. Free YouTube streams are unofficial and violate copyright. The official YouTube channel for T Sports (linked in their description) only offers live coverage to paying subscribers. Free highlights will appear later, but live streaming is locked behind paywalls.
Who are the key players to watch in this Test?
For Bangladesh, Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s return as opener is critical — he’s scored 3 centuries in 4 domestic games this year. Taijul Islam remains the match-winner with the ball. For Ireland, Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell will need to bat long, while Josh Little’s pace could exploit early morning conditions. Watch for all-rounder Mark Adair — he’s a quiet assassin with both bat and ball.
What’s the significance of Sylhet hosting this Test?
Sylhet International Cricket Stadium opened in 2018 and has hosted just 4 Tests so far. This match is only the second time it’s been used for a full Test series — and the first time it’s seen a non-India opponent. The BCB is using it to decentralize cricket beyond Dhaka and Chattogram, encouraging regional participation. The pitch here is slower and lower than in Dhaka, favoring spinners — making it a true test of technique over power.
Will this series affect Ireland’s Test status?
Yes, indirectly. The ICC is reviewing Test status for associate nations after 2026. Ireland needs to play at least 12 Tests between 2023-2027 to retain automatic eligibility. This series counts as two of those. A competitive performance — even a loss — could help their case. A heavy defeat might push them toward the new ICC Test Challenge system, where they’d have to earn their spot through qualifiers. This match is more than cricket — it’s a survival test.
How does this series fit into the World Test Championship?
It doesn’t — directly. Neither Bangladesh nor Ireland are in the 2023-2025 WTC cycle. But this series is part of the ICC’s broader strategy to build depth among associate teams. Performance here could influence future WTC inclusion. The BCB has said they’re aiming to qualify for the 2027-2029 cycle, and playing consistent Tests against teams like Ireland helps them meet ICC’s minimum fixture requirements. It’s a stepping stone, not a checkpoint.
