Legends of Rupganj opener Habibur Rahman Sohan equalled the fastest fifty in Bangladesh’s List A cricket when he reached the landmark in 15 balls against Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Rupganj chased 340 after Mohammedan posted 339 for five, driven by Tawhid Hridoy’s fifth List A century. Habibur attacked from the start and gave his side early momentum in a difficult chase.
The right-hander targeted Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana. He struck a boundary over extra cover in Rana’s first over and then tore into the pacer in his second. Habibur smashed three sixes and two fours in the over, taking 26 runs and racing to 46 from 13 deliveries.
The record stood within reach. Habibur matched it in the eighth over when a thick outside edge off Taijul Islam ran away for four. The boundary took him to a 15-ball fifty and levelled the mark jointly held by Parvez Hossain Emon.
Habibur continued his attack before Taibur Rahman trapped him leg-before in the 11th over. He scored 59 from 27 balls, hitting six fours and five sixes.
His innings briefly kept Rupganj in the hunt, but the chase lost momentum after a cluster of wickets. Rupganj slipped to 115 for five in 13.2 overs at the time of reporting.
Habibur already shares another major domestic batting record. He previously set the fastest List A hundred in Bangladesh while playing for North Zone. Mosaddek Hossain matched that feat this season with a 49-ball century for Abahani against City Club.
