Play was briefly halted during a rare and unexpected moment in the Test match between Bangladesh and Ireland after earthquake tremors were felt on Friday, November 21. As per early media reports, several regions across India and Bangladesh experienced the effects of a 4.7-magnitude earthquake, prompting officials to stop the match temporarily for safety reasons.
As soon as the tremors were detected, players, umpires, and support staff paused the game and waited in the middle of the ground. Fortunately, the quake caused no damage, and after a short stoppage, the situation stabilized. Within minutes, officials cleared the area, and the Test match resumed without any further interruptions.
At the time play was halted, Bangladesh already held a strong grip on the match. Ireland were positioned at 163/5 and looking to rebuild, but the break did little to help their momentum. Instead, the visitors crumbled even further once the action restarted.
Momentum quickly shifted in Bangladesh’s favour when Taijul Islam delivered a brilliant over right after play resumed. In a decisive spell, he dismissed Stephen Doheny and Andy McBrine in the same over, pushing Ireland further into trouble at 175/7. Bangladesh’s bowlers capitalized on the pressure instantly, tightening their control on the Test.
Strong earthquake in Bangladesh, hope everyone is safe. 🇧🇩 pic.twitter.com/VZ4QwbS9qm
— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) November 21, 2025
Earthquake-related interruptions in cricket are extremely uncommon, adding a dramatic twist to the ongoing fixture. The sudden halt underscored how rare and unpredictable such incidents are in the sporting world, especially in the context of a Test match.
The last notable instance of cricket being stopped due to an earthquake occurred in 2022 during an Under-19 World Cup match between Zimbabwe and Ireland at the Queen’s Park Oval. That tremor, measured at 5.2 magnitude, was strong enough that even the commentary box felt the shake. Commentator Andrew Leonard famously reacted live, saying, “I believe we are having an earthquake right now.”