Joy marks Test comeback with brilliant century

Bangla Press Desk:   Mahmudul Hasan Joy celebrated his return to the Test side with a superb century as Bangladesh crossed the 200-run mark on the second day of the Sylhet Test.

At the time of filing this report, Joy was unbeaten on 105 off 199 balls, while Mominul Haque was batting on 25 off 52 deliveries. 

In the second over after the tea break, Joy reached his hundred with a late cut off Jordan Neill, guiding the ball through the gully region for four.

The 24-year-old opener brought up the milestone off 190 deliveries, hitting nine boundaries and one six. It was his second Test century and his first on home soil — his maiden hundred came against South Africa in Durban in 2022.

Earlier, Bangladesh continued their strong reply to Ireland’s 286, reaching 198 for 1 after 55 overs on the second afternoon. Resuming at 109 without loss after lunch, the Tigers added 89 runs in the session, losing only Shadman Islam, who made a fluent 80 with nine fours and a six.

Shadman was dismissed by left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys while attempting a late cut in the 42nd over. After his departure, Joy and Mominul steadied the innings with a composed 30-run stand before tea.

BP/TD