Cricket Ireland has unveiled two distinct 15-player squads for their November 2025 tour to Bangladesh — a high-stakes trip designed not just to compete, but to survive. With two Test matches and three T20Is lined up across Sylhet, Dhaka, and Chattogram, this isn’t just another overseas assignment. It’s a make-or-break conditioning exercise for a team eyeing the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World CupIndia and Sri Lanka next January. The selectors didn’t just pick players; they built two teams for two different battles — one in the heat of Test cricket, another in the chaos of T20s.
Test Squad: A New Generation Steps Up
Andrew James Balbirnie, the veteran batter and former captain, returns to lead the Test side — not because he’s the obvious choice, but because he’s the only one who’s been through this before. Ireland’s last Test series in Bangladesh in 2023 ended in a 1-0 loss, their inaugural Test match a sobering lesson in subcontinental conditions. Now, they’re back, and this time, they’re bringing five debutants.
Cade Carmichael, the Northern Knights batter, returns from a concussion suffered in October’s All-Ireland T20 Cup — a scary moment that nearly derailed his call-up. His inclusion signals grit over caution. Alongside him: wicket-keeper batter Stephen Doheny, whose domestic form earned this praise from selectors: “Stephen Doheny is another player who has had a good domestic season and demonstrated a number of technical changes that we hope will enable him to be successful going forward.” Then there’s Jordan Neill, the all-rounder with a left-arm spin that could trouble Bangladesh’s middle order, and fast bowlers Liam McCarthy and Gavin Hoey, the left-arm seamer and spinner respectively, both stepping into the unknown.
The selectors’ message was clear: this is about adaptation. “It’s likely we’ll need all of our seamers across the back-to-back Tests,” they said. “Given the recent number of injuries we’ve been managing, and the volume of cricket in the coming months, we will need to proactively manage the group in what will undoubtedly be hot and humid conditions.” This is only the second time Ireland has played consecutive Tests on tour — the first being in 2018 against Pakistan. The pressure isn’t just on the players. It’s on the medical staff, the fitness coaches, the logistics team. One heatstroke, one slipped disc, and the whole plan unravels.
T20I Squad: Return of the Warriors
Paul David Stirling, Ireland’s most consistent T20 performer, takes the reins again. His leadership isn’t just about runs — it’s about composure under pressure. The T20 squad reads like a who’s who of Ireland’s current firepower: Curtis Campher, the all-action all-rounder, George Dockrell, the veteran spinner, and Lorcan Tucker, the explosive keeper-batter. But the real story? The return of Mark Adair and Josh Little.
Both missed the recent England series due to injury. Their return isn’t just a boost — it’s a necessity. Adair’s raw pace and Little’s lethal yorkers are the twin engines of Ireland’s T20 attack. Their absence last month exposed a dangerous gap. Meanwhile, Graham Hume, who played in the last three T20Is, was dropped — a quiet signal that form trumps loyalty. Tim Tector and Ben Calitz are back, the latter having made his debut in Dublin on October 28, 2025, against England. He’s not a flash name, but he’s a steady hand.
Why This Tour Matters More Than Ever
Ireland’s last Test series in Bangladesh in April 2023 ended with a seven-wicket defeat in Mirpur. It was their first ever Test against Bangladesh — a historic moment that ended in disappointment. But since then, they’ve won three straight Tests — against Scotland, the Netherlands, and Afghanistan — showing they can compete when conditions suit them. Now, they’re being forced to adapt. The subcontinent doesn’t care about recent wins. It only cares about how you handle the heat, the turn, the pressure.
The T20Is in Chattogram are just as vital. The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium is a batting paradise — but only if you’ve trained for it. Ireland’s last T20I series against England ended in a 2-1 loss. They need to prove they can close out games under lights, under humidity, under scrutiny. The 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup won’t be played in Dublin. It’ll be played in Kolkata, Mumbai, Colombo — places where the crowd is deafening, the pitches are slow, and the margin for error is zero.
What Happens Next?
The first Test begins November 11, 2025, at 9:30 AM local time in Sylhet. According to match reports, Ireland won the toss and chose to bat — a bold move in a country where chasing is king. Cade Carmichael, Jordan Neill, and Bangladesh’s Hasan Murad all made their Test debuts in that match. Mahmudul Hasan Joy smashed 171 — the highest score of his career. Ireland’s response? They’ll need more than just hope.
By the time the final T20I ends on November 28, 2025, Ireland’s World Cup squad will be taking shape. This isn’t about winning every match. It’s about who survives, who adapts, who steps up when the lights are brightest. The selectors didn’t just pick a team. They picked a future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ireland sending two separate squads for the Bangladesh tour?
Cricket Ireland is treating Test and T20I cricket as distinct disciplines requiring different skill sets. The Test squad focuses on endurance, technique, and adapting to spin-heavy pitches, while the T20I squad prioritizes pace, power-hitting, and death-over execution. This split allows key players like Mark Adair and Josh Little to rest for Tests and peak for T20s, while giving new players like Cade Carmichael and Stephen Doheny focused exposure to long-format cricket.
Who are the biggest risks in Ireland’s Test squad?
The biggest risks are the five debutants, especially Cade Carmichael and Stephen Doheny. Carmichael recently recovered from a concussion, and Doheny has never faced top-tier spin in Asian conditions. Both will face Bangladesh’s formidable attack — including the likes of Mehidy Hasan and Nayeem Hasan — on pitches that deteriorate over five days. If they fail to adapt, Ireland’s top order could collapse under pressure, jeopardizing their World Cup qualification chances.
How does this tour impact Ireland’s 2026 T20 World Cup chances?
Directly. The ICC’s qualification pathway rewards teams that perform in subcontinental conditions. Ireland’s T20I squad must prove they can win under pressure in humidity and on slow pitches — conditions identical to those in India and Sri Lanka. A 2-1 series win in Chattogram would boost their ranking and confidence. A loss, especially if it exposes weaknesses in death bowling or powerplay execution, could mean they enter the World Cup as underdogs with unresolved flaws.
Why was Graham Hume dropped from the T20I squad?
Hume, a reliable all-rounder, was omitted despite his previous appearances because his recent domestic form didn’t match the aggressive, high-risk profile Ireland now needs for T20s. With Ben Calitz and Tim Tector offering more explosive batting and tighter bowling in the death overs, Hume’s slower strike rate became a liability. The selectors are prioritizing players who can change the game in six balls — not over 15.
What’s the historical significance of this tour for Irish cricket?
This is only the second time Ireland has played consecutive Test matches on tour, and the first since 2018. After playing just 10 Tests total in their history, they’re now entering a phase of sustained Test cricket — a sign of their elevation in the ICC’s hierarchy. Their 2023 debut in Bangladesh was symbolic; this 2025 tour is about proving they belong. Success here could mean more Test series in the future, including potential fixtures against Pakistan or Sri Lanka.
What weather conditions are expected during the tour?
Match forecasts predict bright, sunny conditions with temperatures hovering between 30°C and 35°C across Sylhet, Dhaka, and Chattogram. Humidity levels are expected to exceed 80%, especially during evening matches. This will test hydration protocols and recovery routines. Cricket Ireland has reportedly brought in a specialist heat-acclimatization coach — a first for the team — to help players adjust before departure.