Bangladesh moved to the brink of a dominant victory in the one-off Test against Ireland in Mirpur on Saturday, as two major milestones from senior campaigners Mushfiqur Rahim and Taijul Islam highlighted a commanding performance on the fourth day.

The hosts declared their second innings at 297-4 to set an imposing target of 509 runs, before reducing Ireland to 176-6 by stumps at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The visitors—still needing 333 runs on the final day—will need a miracle to avoid defeat, with Bangladesh requiring just four more wickets to seal the win and a 2-0 whitewash.

Mushfiqur, playing his 100th Test match, remained unbeaten on 53 not out after scoring a century in the first innings, becoming only the second player in the sport’s history after Australia’s Ricky Ponting to register both a hundred and a fifty in a milestone 100th Test.

Taijul, meanwhile, surpassed Shakib Al Hasan to become Bangladesh’s leading Test wicket-taker earlier in the match, and continued his fine form by claiming 3-55 in Ireland’s second innings.

The left-arm spinner now sits alone at the top of the country’s wicket charts as Bangladesh’s most prolific Test bowler.

The day had begun with Bangladesh resuming on 156-1, with opener Shadman Islam on course for a century.

However, the left-hander once again fell short of the landmark, departing for 78 after also missing out in the previous match when dismissed for 80.

Ireland struck twice in quick succession as captain Najmul Hossain Shanto fell for just one, giving young all-rounder Jordan Neil his maiden Test wicket.

But Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur steadied the innings with a composed partnership. Mominul, who brought up a fluent fifty off 76 balls, looked set for a three-figure score before being caught at midwicket off leg-spinner Gavin Hoey for 87, walking back visibly frustrated after missing the milestone.

That dismissal prompted Captain Shanto to call his men in, ending the innings with Bangladesh holding a huge lead of 508 runs. Mushfiqur, unbeaten on 53, was applauded off the field as he walked into the dressing room.

Ireland’s reply was rocked early after opener Andrew Balbirnie made only 13. Harry Tector resisted with a gritty 50 and Curtis Campher remained not out on 34 at stumps, but the task ahead remains steep. Hasan Murad chipped in with 2-35 as the spinners maintained their dominance on a wearing surface.

Despite Ireland’s efforts to take the contest into a fifth day, Bangladesh hold complete control. The home side now head into the final morning expecting to wrap up a convincing victory—one that appears to be only a matter of time.