Bangladesh: Mofizur tolls the bell for Brothers Union (25 December 1998)

25 December 1998

Mofizur tolls the bell for Brothers Union

Our Sports Reporter

Shahid Saeed hammered the ninth century of the season in the Janakantha Premier League to help Kalabagan pile up a mammoth total against a lowly-rated Ajax at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium yesterday.

On a day where willow ruled over cherry, Agrani Bank amassed a huge 346 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, leaving last year's runners-up Brothers Union with the daunting task of keeping their slate clean.

Incidentally, Kalabagan's 391 for five in the stipulated 80 was the highest score in an innings in the league this season and Agrani Bank's 346 for eight at the Bangabandhu surpassed Mohammedan's 330 scored a few days back.

Sahid Saeed scored a superlative unbeaten 127, the highest individual score, as Kalabagan, electing to bat after winning the toss, virtually toyed with the depleted Ajax attack.

The Pakistan middle-order batsman clubbed seven fours and a couple of sixes in his 148-ball knock. The Lahore-based right-hander put on 138 runs for the third wicket with compatriot Ghulam Ali after opener Harun-ur Rashid laid the foundation with a cracking 90.

The balding stroke-maker hammered 13 disdainful boundaries and a huge sixer in his 115-ball stay at the wicket. Harun missed his first century when he offered a return catch to off-spinner Shoeb.

Appearing in his first match this season, the Pakistan International Ghulam Ali scored a fluent 83 off 127 balls, embellished with seven fours and a six. Coming in to bat at number three after Sajjad returned for 14, Ghulam Ali put on 52 runs for the second wicket with Harun.

The real thrust in the Kalabagan innings came when Saeed joined Ghulam Ali. Together they took the score to 262 in 59 overs before Glulam Ali departed, offering a tame catch to Nayeem.

Saeed was however not ready to resign. He raced on to complete his 100 off 131 balls and take Kalabagan past the 300-mark. The imposing total perhaps had half the job done for possibly Kalabagan's third win from four league engagements.

At the Bangabandhu National Stadium, a defeat for Brothers after three consecutive wins looked almost certain when Agrani Bank posted 346 for eight, thanks to an enterprising half-century from discarded national all-rounder Mofizur Rahman.

Mofizur, who had a disappointing last season with Biman, rediscovered his form with a stroke-filled 69 off 81 balls.

Coming in to bat at his customary position of number seven with Agrani Bank limping at 199 for five in 52.4 overs, Mofizur took the wind out of the Brothers sail putting on 107 runs for the sixth wicket with skipper Ziauddin Ahmed.

So dominant was Mofizur with the bat that it only relived his salad days with Brothers Union a couple of years back when he had single-handedly taken his side to many a win.

Ziauddin, who played the perfect foil at the other end, scored an invaluable 65 off 105 balls that included a quartet of fours. Besides, Rajin, who laid the foundation putting on 94 runs for the second wicket with Sajjad, scored a 135-ball 65 studded with seven fours. Sajjad fell two runs short of what would have been a well-deserved half-century.

Brothers were only to be blamed for being at the receiving end. They did not bowl well, the fielding was sub-standard. At times they appeared exhausted and could hardly move their limbs in the final session.

Source :: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)