Leadership with Bat and Ball: Mahmudul Hasan Joy Leads to Victory in Australia

In the first four-day match against Pakistan Shaheens on the Australia tour, Mahmudul Hasan Joy did not play, resulting in a significant defeat for the Bangladesh High Performance (HP) team. However, in the second match, Joy led the team from the front with an outstanding all-round performance, guiding them to victory.

In Darwin, Bangladesh HP batted first and scored 258 runs in their first innings. Mahmudul Hasan Joy (top-scoring with 69) and Aich Mollah (55) both hit fifties.

In response, Pakistan Shaheens were bowled out for just 179 runs. Ripon Mondol took 4 wickets, while Rejaur Rahman Raja claimed 3 wickets. Hasan Murad and Maruf Mridha chipped in with 2 and 1 wicket, respectively, giving Bangladesh HP a lead of 79 runs.

In Bangladesh HP's second innings, both Mahmudul Hasan Joy (65) and Aich Mollah (58) again scored fifties. Despite their efforts, the team was bowled out for 216 runs.

Pakistan Shaheens were set a target of 296 runs to win. The openers, Haseebullah and Sahibzada Farhan, put up a 96-run partnership, with both scoring fifties. However, after their dismissals, Bangladesh HP made a strong comeback, reducing Pakistan Shaheens from 96 without loss to 230 for 7.

With only 3 wickets remaining, Pakistan Shaheens needed 66 more runs to win. Mohammad Ali and Khurram Shehzad put together a 57-run partnership for the 8th wicket, but Mahmudul Hasan Joy struck twice in quick succession to dismiss both batsmen. Hasan Murad then bowled Faisal Akram, sealing a narrow 5-run victory for Bangladesh HP.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy was instrumental with the ball, taking 5 wickets for just 21 runs in 13 overs. Rejaur Rahman Raja took 3 wickets, and Hasan Murad claimed the remaining 2 wickets.