Shaheed Jewel XI rode on a superb century from Raqibul Hasan to win the traditional Victory Day cricket match against Shaheed Mushtaque XI by 149 runs at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Batting at number six Raqibul came in at a time when they were reeling at 96-4, but the right-hander’s perfect execution of shots made the opponent bowlers look helpless. Raqibul struck 12 fours and three sixes to make 111 off just 87 deliveries.
Earlier, led by Naeem Islam Shaheed Jewel XI opted to bat first and were given a perfect start by Rony Talukder (29) and Junaed Siddique (33) as the pair added 68 in just seven overs.
Anamul Haque and Naeem Islam also returned with identical 22s before Raqibul took Mehrab Hossain Jr (29) and added 88 runs for the sixth wicket as they eventually posted 285 for nine in the stipulated 40 overs.
Left-arm spinner Enamul Haque Jr claimed four wickets while a bit expensive Shahadat Hossain took 3-43 off his six overs.
Wickets in regular intervals saw the Shaheed Mushtaque XI drift away from the big run chase before they were eventually bundled out for 136 runs in just 27 overs. Number nine batsman Sanjamul Islam’s unbeaten 25 was the highest score. Left-arm spinner Elias Sunny took three wickets for just seven runs while Naeem and Mohammad Sharif bagged two wickets each.
A century in any form is a delight for any batsman and Raqibul, who played a crucial role with the bat for Dhaka Premier League champions Gazi Tank recently, said, “I always try to give my hundred percent wherever I get the chance and I am working hard as you know I have scored over five hundred runs in the Dhaka league and looking forward to make a comeback in the national side.”
Few hundreds of fans gathered at the Dhaka Cricket Stadium, commonly known as the Abahani ground, to witness their favourite cricketers play while the presence of many other former national cricketers set the perfect tune for the friendly match. Every year the Victory Day match takes the face of a get-together among the cricketers and it was nothing less yesterday too.
Bangladesh Cricket Board chief selector Faruk Ahmed, Habibul Bashar and Minhajul Abedin were amongst the many other board members present during the match while suspended cricketer Mohammad Ashraful also did not miss the chance to meet his fellow friends.
The first ever Victory Day cricket match was played in 1972 in memory of Liberation War martyrs Shaheed Abdul Halim Chowdhury Jewel and Shaheed Mushtaque Ahmed and since then Bangladesh Cricket Board has been arranging the friendly affair every year.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
