A significant earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale brought an unexpected pause to the second Test match between Bangladesh and Ireland at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on Friday morning. The seismic event caused a brief but dramatic interruption to the international cricket contest.
Match Interrupted by Natural Phenomenon
The earthquake struck during the third day of play, specifically in the 56th over of Ireland's second innings. At that crucial moment, the visiting team had reached 165 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Players and spectators alike felt distinct tremors across the stadium, creating an unusual scenario in international cricket.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the quake was located near Narsingdi, affecting not just Dhaka but several other regions across Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department confirmed the earthquake occurred at 10:38 am local time on Friday, November 21, 2025.
Immediate Response from Players and Officials
The most notable reaction came from the Irish cricket team, whose players quickly evacuated their dressing room and moved to the open field as a safety precaution. This swift action caused a temporary stoppage in play that lasted approximately 30 seconds before normal proceedings resumed.
Cricket Ireland immediately took to social media platform X to update fans, stating: "Goodness. Play has stopped here due to a minor tremor/earthquake." The organization's quick communication helped clarify the unusual situation for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Quick Resumption of Play
Despite the dramatic interruption, the match officials and players demonstrated remarkable professionalism by resuming play after just half a minute. The brief pause didn't significantly impact the flow of the game, and both teams returned to competitive cricket once the immediate danger had passed.
This incident marks one of the rare occasions where natural phenomena have directly affected international cricket matches. The viral video capturing the moment has been widely shared across social media platforms, showing players reacting to the unexpected earth tremors during what was otherwise a routine day of Test cricket.
The quick thinking displayed by all involved parties ensured player safety remained the top priority while minimizing disruption to the sporting contest. The match continued without further incident following the earthquake scare.
