On the opening day of the National Cricket League, the Chittagong opener scored a brilliant century.
After a string of poor performances that cost him his place in the Test team, this season’s National Cricket League is crucial for Mahmudul Hasan Joy. With the upcoming Ireland series in sight, he needed to prove his case by handling deliveries outside off stump with composure and playing a big innings. His first-day century was the perfect start toward that goal.
Joy shone brightly for Chittagong, hitting a century against Rajshahi — a side featuring Bangladesh’s top Test spinner, Taijul Islam.
After losing the toss and being sent to bat, Chittagong’s top order struggled. Opener Sadikur Rahman departed after reaching double figures, followed by Mominul Haque and captain Shahadat Hossain before lunch.
But Joy stood firm at one end, showing maturity and patience. Partnering with Yasir Ali Chowdhury, he built a crucial stand that steadied the innings.
Shortly after lunch, Joy reached his fifty off 83 balls with seven fours. He then accelerated his scoring, bringing up his century in 138 balls — an innings decorated with 12 fours and two sixes.
This was Joy’s fifth first-class century.
In Test cricket, however, he hasn’t scored a fifty in his last 17 innings. In fact, he failed to reach double figures in four of his last six innings, often falling to deliveries outside the off stump — a weakness he seems determined to overcome in domestic cricket.
