Mashrafe heroics send Sk Jamal packing
Sports Reporter
A ruthless Mashrafe Bin Mortaza left mighty Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club shell-shocked by playing a marauding 51 ball-104 which broke several domestic records apart from giving the struggling Kalabagan Krira Chakra its second victory in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL) yesterday at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium.
Mashrafes maiden List A century was studded with two fours and 11 sixes, a perfect example of clean heating and sheer power that made Dhanmondis plan in disarray. Mashrafes knock ensured his sides 21 runs victory over the giants and most importantly removed the qualms of relegation scare at the moment at least.
After the victory, Kalabagan was in third position from the bottom place, just ahead of Kalabagan Cricket Academy and Cricket Coaching School (CCS). Both of the teams are yet to register any victory.
But that calculation was the secondary subject after Mashrafes blockbuster knock in which he raced to the century off just 50 balls, a List A record by any Bangladeshi batsman. He eclipsed Shakib Al Hasan who earlier held the record of quickest century by reaching the mark off 63 balls against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo.
It was the third quickest century at Bangladeshs soil after West Indian legendary batsman Brian Lara and Zimbabwes Brendan Taylor. Lara scored century off 45 balls against Bangladesh at Bangabandhu National Stadium in 1999. Taylor however reached the magical figure off 46 in DPL in 2013 for Prime Bank against Kalabagan Cricket Academy.
His 11 sixes in the match is also a record in List A cricket by any Bangladeshi batsman. Anamul Haque Bijoy smashed 10 sixes for Kalabagan Cricket Academy against Legends of Rupganj in the last season when he struck 150 off 146. Mohammedans Ezaz Ahmed also clobbered 10 sixes against Legends of Rupganj in his 136 runs knock in 2014.
Mashrafes stunning assault steered the side to a huge 316 for seven in 50 overs. Sheikh Jamal also showed its batting prowess but on a day when Mashrafe was at his ruthless best, fortune titled towards Kalabagan. Jamal finally was bowled out for 295 in 50 overs.
The lanky fast bowler however was in form with bowling but in batting, he wasnt just the Mashrafe of his old. In an informal encounter a few days ago with the journalists he however vowed to hit at least two half-centuries. He finally kept his word and the knock came at the moment when a victory was badly needed for his side.
The century came at winning-cause which was badly needed for us, Mashrafe said. I have tried to hit the ball as much as possible. The intention was to score quickly. I am glad to do my job properly.
His team was at 169 for four in 36 over when he came to bat at No. 6 position. A fluent knock was needed to post a challenging total to Jamal which has strong batting unit. Mashrafe reached his fifty off 35 balls, hitting one four and four sixes. He then pounded Jamals bowling in emphatic fashion, picking up his second fifty off just 15 balls in which he clattered one four and seven massive sixes. He reached his century hitting four sixes in a row off left arm spinner Wahidul Alam. Opener Jasimuddin and Zimbabwe recruit Hamilton Masakadza were the other notable scorers with 64 and 45 runs respectively.
For Jamal, off-spinner Sohag Gazi claimed two wickets for 39 runs. He was fortunate to have ended his quota before Mashrafe came out all guns blazing.
Zabid Hossain was unbeaten on 52 for Jamal while Muktar Ali scored 51 but couldnt resist their sides defeat on a day when Mashrafe hit his maiden List A century. Kalabagans Hamilton Masakadza snapped up four for 37.
