A strong earthquake shook Dhaka on Friday, throwing a cricket Test match into turmoil and leaving more than one hundred people injured across the city. Officials confirmed at least five deaths after the 5.7 magnitude tremor struck near the Shere Bangla National Stadium, where Ireland and Bangladesh were in the middle of day three of their second Test.
The stadium rattled during Ireland’s innings, forcing a brief halt as players, coaches, and staff tried to steady themselves. Those not on the field gathered at the boundary while spectators rushed to safer areas inside the venue. The match stopped for three minutes before continuing, even as news of rising casualties spread through the capital.
Government authorities later reported that about one hundred and five people had been injured in various parts of Dhaka, with emergency teams deployed to manage collapsed structures and panicked crowds. Cricket Ireland issued a message of concern, saying that everyone involved in the match was “thinking of those affected.”
Ireland’s head coach, Heinrich Malan, described the moment as unsettling. He recalled past experiences with earthquakes during his years in New Zealand and spoke of the confusion that follows the first violent jolt. He said the ground came to a temporary standstill as players processed the shock, then returned to the match with the wider tragedy firmly in mind.
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Shadman Islam led the response with an unbeaten 69. Mahmudul Hasan Joy added 60 before Gavin Hoey ended his innings, leaving Bangladesh 367 runs ahead with nine wickets standing. The home side already holds the advantage after winning the first Test by an innings and 47 runs, with three T20 internationals scheduled after the series.
The tremor cast a shadow over the day’s play, turning a routine Test match into a moment of shared fear for players and fans. Dhaka now faces the task of assessing structural damage and supporting the victims of an unexpected disaster that struck in the middle of a national pastime.
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