Ziaur Rahman exploded against Brothers Union

Ziaur Rahman, the younger brother of Pakistani fast bowler Ataur Rahman, carried out an enthralling fiery century at BNS today while his club Kalabagan club took on Brothers Union in GrameenPhone Premier League and won the match quite effortlessly. The stout Pakistani sparked off playing at number four position and took only 97 balls to reach his hundred (104 not out) that was featured by 7 slashing boundaries and 2 sixes. Kalabagan dumped Brothers by a huge margin of 125 runs to secure their full points.

It was a wise decision to bat first on the flat track of BNS and the Dhanmondi based club cashed on it quite well. The early dismissal of Rafiqul Islam and Rajin Saleh Alam couldn't affect the rest of the Kalabagan order as one down Anisur Rahman and his dangerous partner Ziaur ran up 103 runs in the next wicket. Anisur notched up 87, which was well arranged by 7 fours and a solitary six. Ziaur was well assisted by another supportive blitzing cameo knock from Manjarul Islam Rana (32) at the other end. Manjarul, the left-arm spinner, came up with a batsman's identity in this league and remained not out till the end and together they took Kalabagan to a virtually inaccessible 296 for 5 after the completion of fifty overs.

Brothers couldn't shrug off the initial pressure for two reasons - first Kalabagan set a massive target and secondly they faced an early collapse within 15 overs created by youthful pace bowler Talha Jubair. They lost their fourth wicket in 72 (Among these Talha claimed 3), the valuable one of man-in-form Athar Ali, who managed only 26. As a result, Mostadir Litu and Moin Khan, had to approach the Kalabagan attack (Specially Talha and Mushfiqur) rather cautiously.

Moin Khan was dispatched by leggie Mosadddek Hossain when he was looking dangerous. The star wicket keeper plundered 31 runs from 33 balls before giving a simple catch to Lablur Rahman. With his demise Brother's chance (Even the slightest one) slumped. Manjarul Islam and Imran ran through the tail to mop it up in 42.5 overs. Only Mostadir top scored 33 facing 60 deliveries to show that he has the temperament of a Test batsman. Talha Jubair handled the batsmen roughly taking 3 wickets for 40.