Parvez Hossain Emon produced a dazzling century to propel Bangladesh to a commanding total of 191 for 7 in the opening T20I against the United Arab Emirates in Sharjah on Saturday. In what was a high-stakes contest marking a fresh chapter under new captain Litton Das, Emon rose to the occasion with a composed yet authoritative innings at the top of the order.
Opening the batting, the left-hander displayed maturity beyond his years, weathering the early movement and then unleashing an array of clean, aggressive strokes around the ground. His knock not only steadied Bangladesh’s innings in key moments but also ensured they maintained a healthy scoring rate throughout. Emon reached his century with flair, punctuating his innings with well-timed boundaries and calculated aggression that left the UAE bowlers with few answers.
Although the Emirati bowlers managed to apply some pressure during the middle overs with disciplined lines and variations, Emon remained unfazed. He smartly rotated the strike and capitalised on loose deliveries, refusing to allow the bowlers to settle. His performance was especially crucial given the lack of significant contributions from the middle order, and his ability to anchor the innings proved pivotal.
The innings wasn’t just about stroke-play—it was a display of cricketing intelligence. Emon adapted seamlessly to the conditions, knowing when to accelerate and when to consolidate. His effort laid the perfect platform for a late flourish, helping Bangladesh post an imposing total on a surface that historically offers some assistance to bowlers in the second innings.
With 191 on the board, Bangladesh’s bowlers will now look to complement Emon’s brilliance by keeping the UAE batters under pressure from the outset. Captain Litton Das, leading the side in a new era of Bangladeshi T20 cricket, will hope his bowlers can use the cushion provided by Emon’s ton to secure a morale-boosting win and build momentum in the short two-match series.
As Bangladesh embarks on this new phase, Emon’s century not only provided a solid start on the scoreboard but also sent a message about the depth of talent in the squad—a reassuring sign as they look to the future.