When Mahmudul Hasan Joy stepped onto the pitch in Sylhet on November 11, 2025, no one expected him to rewrite Bangladesh’s Test history again — but that’s exactly what he did. The 24-year-old top-order batter, recalled after a year-long exile from international cricket, smashed a career-best 171 runs in the first Test against Ireland, helping Bangladesh Cricket Board win by an innings and 47 runs. The victory wasn’t just about runs; it was a statement. Joy, who’d averaged just 14.92 in his last seven Tests since 2024, had spent months grinding in domestic cricket, scoring 238 runs across four innings for Chattogram Division in the National Cricket League. His recall wasn’t sentimental — it was statistical. And it paid off spectacularly.
From Domestic Grind to Test Glory
Joy’s journey back to the Test side was anything but glamorous. After his historic 115 in Johannesburg in 2022 — the first Test century by a Bangladeshi on South African soil — his form collapsed. He was dropped. Forgotten. Some said he’d lost his edge. But in the dusty nets of Chattogram, he kept swinging. His 127 and 51 against Rajshahi Division weren’t just numbers; they were a plea for another chance. The Bangladesh Cricket Board listened. And on November 4, 2025, they announced a 15-man squad for the two-match Test series against Ireland, with Joy’s name at the top of the order.
He didn’t just make the team — he owned it. His 171 came off 286 balls, with 18 fours and three sixes. He batted for nearly seven hours. When he was finally out, the Sylhet crowd rose as one. It wasn’t just a century — it was redemption.
A Milestone in Mirpur: Mushfiqur’s 100
While Joy was rewriting his story, another legend was writing his legacy. On the same day, Mushfiqur Rahim, 37, became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to reach 100 Test appearances. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter, who’s been the backbone of Bangladesh’s batting since 2005, walked out to a standing ovation. He didn’t score a century — he didn’t need to. His presence alone was the milestone. He’s played through three captains, four head coaches, and a dozen rebuilding phases. Now, he’s the face of Bangladesh’s Test identity.
“He’s not just a player,” said former captain Mominul Haque, who also featured in the Sylhet Test. “He’s the reason we believed we could compete. When Mushfiqur’s behind the stumps, you feel like you’re playing for something bigger than yourself.”
Debutant Fire: Hasan Murad’s 6-Wicket Breakthrough
But Joy and Mushfiqur weren’t the only stars. Enter Hasan Murad, the 26-year-old left-arm spinner who’d taken 9 wickets in a single NCL match for Chattogram Division just weeks earlier. He wasn’t even a regular in the domestic circuit before this season. Yet, on his Test debut, he ripped through Ireland’s lineup, finishing with 6 for 89 — the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi debutant since Taijul Islam in 2012.
“I didn’t sleep the night before,” Murad admitted after the match. “I kept thinking: ‘What if I let them down?’ But once I bowled that first ball, everything just clicked.” His spin, combined with the turning Sylhet pitch, turned Ireland’s second innings into a disaster. They were bowled out for 254 — 333 runs behind Bangladesh’s 587 for 8 declared.
Records on the Horizon: Taijul’s Chase and Ireland’s Struggles
Behind the scenes, another quiet battle is unfolding. Taijul Islam, the 32-year-old off-spinner, is just 10 wickets away from surpassing Shakib Al Hasan’s record of 221 Test wickets. He took 3 in Sylhet and is already into the second Test at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka. If he gets those 10, he’ll be Bangladesh’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker — a title that’s been held by Shakib since 2017.
For Ireland, the tour has been brutal. Captain Andrew Balbirnie called it “a harsh lesson in Test cricket’s demands.” Four debutants — including 23-year-old all-rounder Cade Carmichael and wicketkeeper Stephen Doheny — were thrown into the deep end. Ireland managed just 286 and 254 across two innings. Their batting depth? Non-existent. Their spin options? Outclassed. They’ll need major changes before their T20s start next week.
Second Test Underway: Bangladesh Leads 1-0
As of November 20, 2025, the second Test is underway at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Bangladesh, having won the toss and elected to bat, posted 342 for 4 by the end of day two, with Joy scoring 89 and Shanto adding 76. Ireland, chasing, are 97 for 5. The pitch is slower than Sylhet’s, favoring spin — and that’s where Taijul Islam’s record chase comes into play.
“We’re not just playing for a series win,” said captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. “We’re playing to prove we belong among the top eight Test nations. This team isn’t just building — it’s breaking ceilings.”
What’s Next? T20s and the Road to 2027
The two-match Test series doesn’t count toward the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, but its impact will ripple through the 2027 cycle. Bangladesh’s next major assignment is the 2027 World Test Championship final, and this series was a dress rehearsal. Joy’s return, Murad’s emergence, and Mushfiqur’s milestone have given the team a rare blend of experience and youth.
Three T20Is follow on November 27 and 29 in Chattogram, and December 2 in Dhaka. The squad may see fresh faces — but the core? This is it. The new Bangladesh Test team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Mahmudul Hasan Joy dropped and then recalled?
Joy was dropped after averaging just 14.92 in seven Tests since early 2024, with inconsistent performances and a lack of big scores. He was recalled after scoring 238 runs in four innings for Chattogram Division in the National Cricket League, including a 127 and 51 against Rajshahi — his first multi-century domestic form since 2022. The BCB prioritized form over reputation, and his Sylhet 171 validated the decision.
Who is the new standout bowler for Bangladesh in this series?
Hasan Murad, a 26-year-old left-arm spinner, made his Test debut in Sylhet and took 6 wickets in the match — the best by a Bangladeshi debutant since Taijul Islam in 2012. Selected based on a 9-wicket haul in the NCL, he’s now the team’s most promising spin option, especially on turning pitches. His inclusion signals a shift toward spin-heavy attack in home conditions.
Is Mushfiqur Rahim’s 100th Test a record for Bangladesh?
Yes. Mushfiqur Rahim became the first Bangladeshi cricketer to reach 100 Test appearances on November 11, 2025, in Sylhet. He’s also the only player from Bangladesh to feature in over 100 Tests — a milestone no other player from the country has reached. Only 32 players in Test history have played 100+ matches, and he’s the first from a Full Member nation to do so after 2010.
What’s at stake for Taijul Islam in the second Test?
Taijul Islam needs just 10 more Test wickets to surpass Shakib Al Hasan’s record of 221 and become Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. He’s taken 211 so far. With Ireland’s batting frailties exposed and the Mirpur pitch aiding spin, he’s likely to reach the milestone during this match. If he does, he’ll hold the record in a format where Bangladesh has historically struggled to produce match-winners.
Why doesn’t this series count in the World Test Championship?
The two Tests against Ireland are outside the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship cycle because Ireland is not a Full Member of the ICC and therefore not part of the official WTC structure. The series serves as preparation for Bangladesh’s upcoming WTC fixtures against stronger opponents like Australia and South Africa in 2026, allowing the team to test new players without pressure on rankings.
What does this mean for Bangladesh’s future Test squad?
Joy’s return, Murad’s debut, and the continued presence of Mushfiqur and Shanto signal a new era: experienced leadership blended with emerging talent. The team is moving away from over-reliance on Shakib and toward a more balanced unit. With Taijul close to breaking a record and young players like Jaker Ali Anik (22) gaining experience, Bangladesh’s Test future looks more sustainable than it has in a decade.
