Nurul Hasan Sohan and Mahidul Islam lit up the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium with brilliant centuries, crafting a massive partnership that propelled Bangladesh ‘A’ to 344 for 5 against New Zealand ‘A’ in the second unofficial ODI.
“A magnificent stand and superb centuries” — that’s what Sohan and Mahidul delivered as they built a giant 225-run partnership. Sohan looked in sublime touch throughout, but just as he was cruising, he offered a chance with a mistimed flick off his pads to fine leg. However, Jack Foakes dropped the sitter. Making the most of the reprieve, Sohan hammered two sixes in the very next over to move into the 90s, and soon brought up his hundred without much delay.
Standing at the other end, Mahidul celebrated his own century not long after watching his captain reach the landmark. Together, the duo built a rock-solid foundation, lifting the team from early trouble with a fourth-wicket partnership that lasted from the 16th to the 47th over — a span of 193 deliveries and 225 runs.
This stand is now the second-highest for the fourth wicket in Bangladesh’s List A history. The only one better? A world-record 276-run partnership by Mominul Haque and Roshen Silva for Prime Doleshwar in the 2013 Dhaka Premier League.
Sohan, who has been in red-hot form in recent domestic cricket, continued his streak with a fluent 112 off 101 balls, decorated with 7 fours and 7 sixes. This was his seventh List A century and third in his last nine innings — a sign of his growing consistency.
Mahidul, meanwhile, hadn’t managed a century in the recent Premier League despite some solid performances. But this time, he made it count. After scoring an unbeaten 42 in the first match of the series, he converted his form into a commanding 105 off 108 balls, laced with 7 boundaries and 5 sixes. He reached his fourth List A ton just before getting out in the final over.
Earlier in the day, Bangladesh ‘A’ were put in to bat and suffered early setbacks. Parvez Hossain fell cheaply, and although Anamul Haque and Mohammad Naim Sheikh got starts, they couldn’t capitalize. Anamul ran himself out for 39 off 34, while Naim made 40 off 41 before getting out.
At 97 for 3, Sohan and Mahidul came together. Sohan was fluent from the start, hitting three sixes in his first 22 runs. Mahidul, on the other hand, took his time to settle, struggling initially before breaking the shackles with a pair of sixes in quick succession.
Sohan reached his fifty off 53 balls and needed just 39 more to get to his hundred. He did get another slice of luck on 80, when Foakes dropped him again off Clarke. Eventually, Clarke dismissed him with a catch at mid-off.
Mahidul took 68 balls to reach his fifty but then accelerated, needing just 35 more to bring up his century. He, too, had some luck on 91, when Joe Carter dropped a catch off Josh Clarkson. Mahidul made sure to take full advantage and reached the milestone without taking unnecessary risks.
Despite the solid base, Bangladesh ‘A’ couldn’t quite push the score past 350 as the run flow slowed after Sohan’s dismissal. Still, the innings ended on a high note with a strong total of 344, thanks largely to that incredible fourth-wicket stand.
