In the first Test against South Africa on Day 3 in Durban, Bangladesh suffered batting crisis as most of the batsmen failed with the bat in reply to South Africa’s first innings total of 367. Opener Mahmudul Islam Joy however was class apart from everyone with his terrific maiden ton.
Who will say that it's just his third Test? More specifically, it is only his second Test on foreign soil. The 21-year-old Joy left an impression of his ability with jaw-dropping determination, strong morale and a self-deprecating mentality for first Test century.
His batting prowess was all there to be seen as he played some delightful looking shots en route to his hundred and also batted with responsibility. Joy also became the first Bangladeshi player to score a hundred against South Africa! It took over six hours and about 45 overs. He hit the middle part of the bat with full confidence while playing shots. He has done the job of leaving balls in Test with great resiliency.
In the 96th over of the match, he cuts a short of length ball to deep backward point for a couple and immediately punched the air in delight. Then his team-mates in the dressing room were on their feet applauding and the right-hander then received a hug from his batting partner Mehidy Hasan Miraz. What a moment it was for the 21-year-old! His 269-ball 100 was comprised with 10 boundaries and 1 maximum.
It was such a joy to see Joy get a well-deserved century. With all his partners coming and going at the other end, he stayed firm, patient and showed incredible amount of temperament. Joy is showing consistency with the bat as during the last New Zealand tour he batted with same kind of temperament and runs came from his willow.
Joy whose ton was his career-best knock so far, eclipsing his 78 against New Zealand, basically kept Bangladesh in front foot as they resumed the day on a precarious 98/4.
Liton Das, another inform batter of Bangladesh, accompanied Joy with 41, at the second interval of the day. Liton later got out but Joy’s resolute batting and fight for his team continued with Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
