Nahid Concedes 26 Runs, Habibur Sets Record

At the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur during a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match, Habibur Rahman of Legends of Rupganj produced a rapid innings against Mohammedan Sporting Club, featuring a 15-ball half-century and a spell of high scoring against international bowlers, including pacer Nahid Rana.

Habibur’s innings included a decisive passage against Taijul Islam when he edged a delivery that travelled through a gap between slip fielder Towhid Hridoy and wicketkeeper Enamul Haque, running away to the boundary. That shot brought up his fifty in just 15 balls. With this effort, Habibur equalled the List A record for the fastest fifty, jointly held by Parvez Hossain Emon.

Prior to reaching the milestone, Habibur had already inflicted heavy scoring on the Mohammedan bowling attack. One of the most significant phases came against Nahid Rana, who was making his debut in the Dhaka Premier League after recent attention in international cricket. In that over, Habibur scored 26 runs.

The over began with a boundary as Habibur lifted the first delivery over extra cover. He followed it with a lofted shot played inside-out over the covers for six. After a brief pause in scoring, he struck consecutive sixes off the next two deliveries, one over long-off and another towards square leg. The final ball of the over was also dispatched for four over long-on, completing the 26-run over.

Earlier in the innings, Habibur had also dominated Taskin Ahmed, who was playing his first match of the current Premier League season. Against Taskin, Habibur scored 25 runs in an over, striking two sixes and two fours.

The record for the fastest List A fifty in Bangladesh has seen several landmark performances in recent years. Parvez Hossain Emon previously equalled the mark with a 15-ball fifty for Abahani Limited against Shinepukur Cricket Club in the previous season. Before that, the record stood for six years with Farhad Reza, who reached a fifty in 18 balls for Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club against Dhanmondi Club in 2019.

Habibur’s innings ended shortly after his record-equalling effort. He was dismissed for 59 runs from 27 balls, which included six fours and five sixes. The dismissal came via an lbw decision off the bowling of Taibur Rahman.

Habibur also holds the record for the fastest List A century by a Bangladeshi batter. He reached a hundred in 49 balls while playing for the North Zone against the Central Zone in a Bangladesh Cricket League one-day match held in Cox’s Bazar, which remains the quickest List A century by a Bangladeshi player.

Key innings summary