When Cricket Ireland unveiled its two 15-player squads for the November 2025 tour of Bangladesh, it wasn’t just a scheduling announcement—it was a generational shift. With Andrew Balbirnie leading the Test side and Paul Stirling at the helm of the T20I team, five debutants were thrown into the deep end of international Test cricket. The move signals a bold, long-term bet on youth, even as veterans like Stirling and Balbirnie still anchor the team. And it all kicks off on November 11, 2025, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium—a venue that will witness not just Ireland’s second-ever Test series in Bangladesh, but also the Test debuts of Cade Carmichael, Jordan Neill, and Hasan Murad of Bangladesh.
A Squad Built for Tomorrow
The Test squad includes five uncapped players, a number that surprised even seasoned observers. Cade Carmichael, the 23-year-old top-order batsman from Instonians, returned just weeks before selection after recovering from a concussion sustained in the All-Ireland T20 Cup. His inclusion wasn’t just about talent—it was about nerve. Liam McCarthy, a 25-year-old left-arm seamer from North West Warriors, brings raw pace. Jordan Neill, a dynamic all-rounder, offers both spin and lower-order firepower. Then there’s Stephen Doheny, the wicket-keeper batsman from Munster Reds, and Gavin Hoey, the 21-year-old pace bowler who’s been quietly dominating domestic red-ball cricket. Together, they’re not filler—they’re future pillars.
Meanwhile, the T20I squad leans into explosive energy. Stirling, now 35, remains the heartbeat of the shorter format. But the real story is the rise of Ben Calitz and Ben White, two wicket-keeper batsmen from Munster Reds who’ve forced their way in with consistent runs. Ross Adair’s last-minute withdrawal due to a bone stress injury in his knee—announced on November 10, 2025—opened the door for Neill to double-dip between formats, a rare but telling sign of depth.
First Test: Debuts, Drama, and a Masterclass
The opening Test began with Ireland winning the toss and choosing to bat—a statement of intent. But the real drama unfolded on the other side. Hasan Murad, the 24-year-old bowler who’d taken 9 for 135 in domestic cricket just weeks prior, made his debut with a wicket in his first over. It wasn’t a fluke. He finished with 4 for 60 in the second innings, proving he belonged.
And then came Mahmudul Hasan Joy. Back from injury, the 26-year-old Bangladesh batsman played the innings of his life: 171 off 286 balls, his maiden Test century and career-best. He anchored a 587/8 declared, the kind of total that crushes visiting teams. Ireland’s response? 286 in the first innings, led by Stirling’s gritty 60, and 254 in the second, where Andy McBrine’s 52 offered brief resistance. Matthew Humphreys stood tall for Ireland, taking 5 for 170—his first five-wicket haul in Tests. But the scoreboard told a familiar story: Bangladesh, playing at home, were too strong.
Why This Tour Matters
This isn’t just about wins or losses. Ireland has played just 10 Test matches in its history. They’ve won their last three before this tour—a quiet streak of progress. But they’re still a minnow in the Test arena, lacking the resources of full members. This tour, not part of the ICC World Test Championship, is about survival, visibility, and development. As Richard Holdsworth, Cricket Ireland’s high-performance director, put it: “We’re not just building for 2026. We’re building for 2030.”
And the opposition? Bangladesh’s squad reads like a who’s who of legacy. Mushfiqur Rahim, 38, is one Test away from becoming the first Bangladeshi to play 100 Tests. Taijul Islam, 32, is 10 wickets shy of becoming Bangladesh’s all-time leading Test bowler. This isn’t just a series—it’s a passing of the torch.
What’s Next?
The second Test begins November 19, 2025, at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Ireland’s T20I series follows immediately after, serving as crucial preparation for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. With Neill now stepping into Adair’s role, and Carmichael’s debut under his belt, the question isn’t whether Ireland can compete—it’s how quickly they can evolve.
ESPNcricinfo’s Sambit Bal nailed it: “The inclusion of five uncapped players reflects Cricket Ireland’s long-term strategy to build depth ahead of their full membership obligations.” That’s the quiet truth. Ireland doesn’t just want to play Tests. They want to win them. And they’re finally betting on their next generation to make that happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the five uncapped players in Ireland’s Test squad, and why were they selected?
The five uncapped players are Cade Carmichael (batsman), Liam McCarthy (bowler), Jordan Neill (all-rounder), Stephen Doheny (wicket-keeper batsman), and Gavin Hoey (bowler). They were selected after standout performances in domestic competitions during the 2025 season, particularly in red-ball formats. Cricket Ireland prioritized form over experience, signaling a deliberate shift toward long-term squad development ahead of future Test obligations.
Why is Hasan Murad’s Test debut significant for Bangladesh?
Hasan Murad’s debut was notable because he earned his spot not through international exposure, but by taking 9 for 135 in a domestic match for Chattogram Division in October 2025—the best bowling figures in the National Cricket League that season. His selection reflects Bangladesh’s growing openness to promoting performers from the domestic circuit, even if they lack prior international experience.
How does this tour impact Ireland’s chances in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
The T20I leg of the tour is critical preparation. Facing Bangladesh’s spin-heavy attack in subcontinental conditions helps Ireland’s batters adapt to the slow, turning pitches they’ll face in India and Sri Lanka. Players like Jordan Neill and Ben Calitz, who are now regulars in both formats, bring valuable experience from high-pressure matches, giving Ireland’s T20 unit more cohesion heading into the World Cup.
Why isn’t this Test series part of the ICC World Test Championship?
Ireland, as an Associate member, doesn’t have full Test status under the ICC’s WTC structure, which only includes the 12 Full Members. This series is classified as a non-WTC fixture, meaning results won’t count toward the championship standings. However, it still holds immense value for Ireland’s development and ranking points, which influence future scheduling and funding.
What records could be broken during this series?
Mushfiqur Rahim is one Test away from becoming Bangladesh’s first player to reach 100 Tests. Meanwhile, Taijul Islam needs just 10 more wickets to surpass Shakib Al Hasan’s record of 241 Test wickets for Bangladesh. On the Irish side, Matthew Humphreys’ 5-wicket haul was his first in Tests, and if Cade Carmichael scores a century, he’ll become Ireland’s youngest debutant centurion since 2018.
How did Ireland’s recent Test record influence this squad selection?
Ireland won their last three Tests before this tour, including a historic series win against the West Indies in 2023. That momentum gave selectors confidence to take risks. The team’s aggressive batting and improved fielding under Balbirnie’s leadership suggest they’re ready to compete. The five new faces weren’t chosen to fill gaps—they were chosen to elevate the team’s ceiling.
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