Habibur takes on Rana, equals fastest List A fifty record

Legends of Rupganj opener Habibur Rahman Sohan blasted a 15-ball half-century against Mohammedan Sporting Club on Tuesday to equal the record for the fastest fifty in Bangladesh's List A cricket, jointly held by Parvez Hossain Emon.

Chasing a daunting 340 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Rupganj needed a flying start after Mohammedan piled up 339 for five, powered by Tawhid Hridoy’s fifth List A century.

Habibur provided exactly that, unleashing a stunning assault on Bangladesh pace sensation Nahid Rana. Rana's speed had troubled New Zealand and Pakistan batters in recent international fixtures, but the fast bowler found himself under severe pressure from the aggressive opener.

After striking Rana for a boundary over extra cover in the pacer's opening over, Habibur shifted through the gears in spectacular fashion. He hammered three sixes and two fours in Rana’s next over, collecting 26 runs as the bowler endured a rare off day.

At the end of the over, Habibur had raced to 46 from just 13 deliveries, putting the record for the fastest fifty within reach. Although he fell short of setting a new mark, he matched the existing record when a thick outside edge off Taijul Islam raced to the boundary in the eighth over.

The right-hander eventually departed for a whirlwind 59 from 27 balls, trapped leg-before by Taibur Rahman in the 11th over. His explosive innings featured six fours and five sixes and briefly put Rupganj on course for a remarkable chase.

However, a flurry of wickets stalled the pursuit, with Rupganj slipping to 115 for five in 13.2 overs at the time of filing this report.

Habibur already holds a share of another domestic batting record. Earlier, he set the benchmark for the fastest List A century in Bangladesh while representing North Zone against Central Zone, a feat matched this season by Mosaddek Hossain during his 49-ball hundred for Abahani against City Club.