Mahmudul Hasan Joy played a brilliant innings and scored 169 runs.
Bangladesh 1st Innings Scorecard Snippet (vs Ireland, 1st Test)
| Player Name | Dismissal | Runs (R) | Balls (B) |
| Mahmudul Hasan Joy | Not Out | 169 | 283 |
| Shadman Islam | c L.J. Tucker b M. Humphreys | 80 | 104 |
| Mominul Haque | Not Out | 80 | 124 |
| Total (at Stumps, Day 2) | (1 Wicket, 85 Overs) | 338 | — |
Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s Unbeaten 169 Puts Bangladesh in Command
The air in Sylhet was thick with expectation, but as the second day of the Test match between Bangladesh and Ireland drew to a close, it was sheer dominance that prevailed. Spearheading this commanding display was the young opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy, whose magnificent, career-best unbeaten 169 runs has firmly tilted the contest in the Tigers’ favor. It wasn’t just a big score; it was a marathon, a testament to patience, technique, and an iron will, marking his second Test century and his first on home soil.
The Calm Amidst the Irish Storm
Bangladesh began their innings knowing they had to respond effectively to Ireland’s first-innings total of 286. While the pitch offered little for the quicks, the Irish bowlers, particularly the spinners, began with discipline. The key was weathering the initial threat and converting starts into significant scores, a challenge often faced by the Bangladeshi top order.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy took on this mantle with maturity beyond his years. He was an immovable force at the crease, mixing solid defense with calculated aggression. His knock was characterized by excellent shot selection and a profound respect for the opposition’s good deliveries. He carefully navigated the early spells, keeping the scoreboard ticking without taking undue risks. The innings was a masterclass in accumulation, waiting for the loose balls and punishing them with precision. After reaching his hundred off 190 balls, he accelerated, particularly in the third session, showcasing his growing confidence and ability to dominate.
Key Partnerships and Scoring Shots
Joy found an able ally in Shadman Islam, with the opening pair forging a massive 168-run stand—Bangladesh’s highest first-wicket stand in over a decade. Shadman played a brisk innings of 80 off 104 balls before eventually falling to left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys. This partnership was crucial; it not only neutralized the threat of the new ball but also sapped the energy and morale of the Irish attack, setting a formidable platform for the hosts.
Joy’s scoring was a blend of grace and power. He struck 14 fours and four towering sixes in his 283-ball vigil. The boundaries were a mix of crisp cover drives and well-timed cuts. His sixes, often down the ground against the spinners, were signals of his intent. Following Shadman’s dismissal, Joy partnered with Mominul Haque, who himself looked in excellent touch and was unbeaten on 80 off 124 balls. This second partnership added an unbroken 170 runs by stumps, ensuring a day of absolute control for the home side.
A Day of Records and Total Control Mahmudul Hasan Joy played a brilliant innings and scored 169 runs.
By the time stumps were called on Day 2, Bangladesh had reached a commanding 338 for 1, already securing a 52-run lead. The fact that they lost only one wicket throughout the entire day’s play highlights the quality of batting, anchored by Joy.
Joy’s unbeaten 169, which surpassed his previous best of 137, is a massive boost for his personal career, validating his position as a long-term prospect for Bangladesh in the Test arena. For the team, it means they are now in the driver’s seat, staring down the barrel of a potentially match-winning first-innings lead. He is now perfectly poised to convert this fine century into a maiden double-century on Day 3, provided the Irish bowlers can’t find an early breakthrough. This innings by Mahmudul Hasan Joy was more than just a big score; it was a statement of a young player coming of age and lighting up the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium with a display of pure, unadulterated Test match batting
