'Hope he can make it bigger': Shadman backs Joy for 200
Two big partnerships shaped Bangladesh's batting performance on the second day of the first Test against Ireland in Sylhet on Wednesday and although the second one eclipsed the former by two runs at stumps, it was the 168-run opening stand between Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shadman Islam that really set the tone.
After Ireland got rolled over for 286 early in the morning, Shadman and Joy turned up to the crease and dictated the proceedings on a placid wicket, notching up a century stand in just 20.4 overs.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. While Shadman fell for 80, Joy not only carried on to get a ton, but surpassed his career-best score of 137 he had made against the Proteas in Durban in 2022.
He then formed an unbroken 170-run stand alongside Mominul Haque (80 not out), and ended the day unbeaten on 169 with Bangladesh 338 for 1, leading by 52 runs.
Joy and Shadman's stand was Bangladesh's highest opening partnership in Tests within the last 10 years, surpassing Tamim Iqbal and Joy's 162 against Sri Lanka in Chattogram in 2022.
Asked whether they sent a positive message in the red-ball format through this partnership following recent disappointing performances from the top-order in white-ball cricket, Shadman relayed that stringing together a big partnership was their main aim.
"A partnership always sends a good message. Partnership is very important in any format. Whatever format we play in, good partnerships lead to a good score. That is our target," Shadman said yesterday.
"Joy and I were just talking about playing according to the ball and how the wicket was supporting us. When we started batting in the morning, there wasn't much help available. So, we capitalised on the boundary balls," he added.
Shadman hoped Joy can notch up a double century and even surpass Mushfiqur Rahim's 219 against Zimbabwe -- the highest score by a Bangladeshi in Tests.
"I hope he does it. The way Joy is batting, we can definitely expect him to make it even bigger," he said.
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