Inspired by the batting of opponents Fargana Hoque and Ishma Tanzim, Nigar Sultana has become the first Bangladeshi batter to score a century in red-ball cricket.
Facing a delivery from Jannatul Ferdous, Nigar played it to mid-on and hesitated for a moment before confidently running to the other end. With that run, she etched her name into history as the first Bangladeshi batter to score a century in women’s red-ball cricket.
After reaching the incredible milestone, Nigar celebrated by raising her bat and spreading her arms in joy. Reflecting on her achievement, she shared, “At the end of the second day, when I was unbeaten on 85, I believed I could score a century.”
Nigar didn’t stop at a century in the first round of the Bangladesh Cricket League. Leading Central Zone, she remained unbeaten with 153 runs against North Zone. Her remarkable innings lasted nearly seven hours, during which she faced 253 balls, hitting 20 fours and 2 sixes.
With this century, Nigar now stands alongside Al Shahriar Rokon, who scored Bangladesh’s first first-class century back in 1997 against South Conference during the New Zealand tour. Twenty-six years later, Nigar brought up the first three-digit score in women’s first-class cricket for Bangladesh.
Speaking in a video message shared by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Nigar expressed her satisfaction with executing her plans successfully.
“I’m deeply grateful to Allah for allowing me to achieve such a significant milestone. Scoring a century in a three-day match for the first time… I stuck to my process and am very happy that it paid off.”
Nigar, who resumed play on Monday morning at 85, didn’t take long to reach her century in the tenth over of the day with a quick single. “On Sunday, I saw others missing out on centuries in different matches. When I walked off unbeaten on 85, people told me a century was possible. I thought if I stayed patient, I could do it.”
“On Monday morning, my focus was to play normal cricket. I believed in myself, and it happened.”
After reaching her century, Nigar switched gears, attacking the bowlers with intent. In Jannatul’s over, she smashed three fours and a six, followed by another flurry of boundaries off Ritu Moni. She reached 150 with a six off Marufa Akter, after which Central Zone declared their innings.
In response, North Zone’s openers Fargana Hoque and Ishma Tanzim batted brilliantly, adding 190 runs for the opening stand. Ishma fell for 90, but Fargana remained unbeaten on 102. In the first innings, Fargana scored a patient 86 off 246 balls, while Ishma contributed 21 off 51 deliveries.
After the match ended in a draw, Nigar credited Fargana and Ishma for inspiring her performance.
“Pinky Apu (Fargana) batted with such patience in the first innings, and Ishma was batting so well. Watching them made me realize how red-ball cricket should be played. I had no prior experience.”
“I was inspired by their batting and also saw other players taking their time in different matches. The coach emphasized that longer-version cricket is about patience, staying at the crease for as long as possible. I tried to follow that advice,” she added.
