In the first Test between Bangladesh and Ireland at Mirpur, Mahmudul Hasan Joy scored his second Test hundred, his first since November, 2022. It was his first Test match since April, 2025, and the triple figures came in the comeback innings for him. In the recent past, Joy has been scoring hundreds across formats. Joy hit a hundred against Sylhet in Sylhet in the NCL T20 – a 110 off 63 deliveries. Speaking to the Daily Times of Bangladesh, he expressed his wish to continue his domination in the 4-day games and in the Ireland Test. In the 4-day version of the NCL, he scored 127 in an innings again, against Rajshahi in Rajshahi before scoring the Test hundred against Ireland.
Once considered weak on the offside, Joy displayed a complete reversal in the Ireland innings. Out of 4 sixes and 14 fours, 1 six and 12 fours came on the offside, contributing 59% of his total runs.
The Daily Times of Bangladesh caught up with Joy again to discuss his return to Test cricket and his recent red-ball form.
We talked to you after your wonderful NCL T20 season this year. You said you wanted to do well in the NCL four day games and the Ireland series. How do personally you rate your performances so far?
I did some things right so far, Alhamdulillah. My confidence has been good since the NCL T20. I was batting well. The next plan was to perform in the NCL 4-day games. I did well there, more or less.
You have scored three centuries in three stages of the game recently (NCL T20, NCL, Test).
I just tried to carry my T20 form everywhere. That really boosted up my overall confidence. I carried that into the red ball games.
In your hundred against Ireland, you scored many boundaries on the offside (12 fours, 1 six). You were timing the cover drives, the cuts really well. Did you work on these?
No, not exactly. I just tried to play one ball at a time. I played according to the merit of the ball and went through the line. Whichever way it came, I played through that direction. Turns out, most went through the offside.
Do you think you can carry this form in Mirpur?
I will try. I’m really focused on the next Test, since it’s in Mirpur. I will try to adapt myself according to the conditions there.
The Sylhet wicket was more batting-friendly. The Mirpur one might be the opposite. Are you ready for that?
It might be a bit more difficult there. I wouldn’t say it’s not that tough out there (it is). Let’s see, once we go there, we will have a look at the wicket. And then, we’ll make a decision on how to go about things. I will try to play just as the team plans and wants me to.
Captain Shanto wanted better wickets at Mirpur. Do you agree with him?
Now, if the team wants to play on a spin-friendly wicket, or a sporting one or a pace-bowling one, I want to play according to that. I agree that if we get sporting pitches, it will be better for us. If the batters can score enough runs, it would be helpful for the bowlers as well.
Mahmudul Hasan Joy celebrated his 25th birthday during the first Test against Ireland. While a double hundred on his birthday would have been ideal, receiving the Player of the Match award the next day was a fitting reward. The right-handed opener now looks more confident and determined than ever, aiming to contribute in every format and in every way possible.
