Bangladesh dominates, close to double century after 150 overs
Mahmudul Hasan Joy played his last Test against Zimbabwe in Sylhet in April this year. After that, Bangladesh played three Tests but did not get a chance to win. He returned to Sylhet after 6 and a half months with a Test against Ireland. He made a great century in the return match.
Joy’s century in the return match is his second Test century. He remained unbeaten on 169 runs off 283 balls with 14 fours and 4 sixes. Bangladesh ended the second day of the Sylhet Test today at 338 runs for 1 wicket in 85 overs in the first innings. Mominul Haque is also close to scoring a century like Joy. He is batting on 80 runs in the first Test of the ongoing series against Ireland. The hosts have got a 52-run lead.
Bangladesh dominates, close to double century after 150 overs
Ireland entered the second day of play today at 270 runs for 8 wickets in the first innings. The visitors had 90 overs to their name. Barry McCarthy hit two fours off Asa Hasan in the first over of the day. However, despite the aggressive start, the Irish lost the last two wickets in the next eight balls. Taijul Islam trapped Matthew Humphries (0) lbw in the second ball of the 92nd over. Craig Young hit a six in that over. This was the last boundary of Ireland’s first innings. Then, Hasan Mahmud bowled McCarthy (31) in the second ball of the 93rd over to end the visitors’ innings. Bangladesh started batting in a hurry shortly after Ireland were bowled out for 286 in 92.2 overs. The hosts scored 29 runs without losing any wickets in the first eight overs. Bangladesh started changing gears from then on. Sadman Islam and Joy kept attacking the Irish bowlers. Both openers had a chance to score centuries, but Sadman Islam missed it. The left-handed Bangladesh batsman was dismissed for 80 runs off 104 balls, including 9 fours and 1 six. He broke the opening partnership of 168 runs between Sadman and Joy by returning them with the first ball of the 42nd over.
Bangladesh reached 168 for 1 in 41.1 overs with Sadman’s departure. The hosts spent the rest of the day safely. Joy and Mominul have already put on a 170-run partnership for the second wicket off 263 balls. Earlier, Joy scored his first century in the royal version of cricket in March 2022. 44 months ago, Joy scored 137 runs off 326 balls against South Africa in Durban. This time, he is close to not only a Test, but also his first double century in first-class cricket.
