Rafique rolls back the years with match-winning all-round show

Former Bangladesh all-rounder Mohammad Rafique rolled back the years, producing a standout all-round performance to lead BCB Red to a commanding 123-run victory over BCB Green in the Independence Day exhibition match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

The 55-year-old played a decisive role with both bat and ball as BCB Red dominated proceedings from start to finish.

After opting to bat, BCB Red got off to a brisk start through opener Nasiruddin Faruque, who struck a fluent 84 off 53 deliveries, hitting five fours and six sixes. Rafique then provided late impetus with a rapid 50 off 24 balls, featuring four fours and four sixes, while Dollar Mahmud added an unbeaten 27 off just nine balls to lift the total to 213 for five.

Mohammad Ashraful chipped in with 25 off 22 balls. For BCB Green, Foysal Hossain Decans picked up two wickets.

In reply, BCB Green suffered an early blow, losing opener Hannan Sarkar off the very first ball, and the innings never recovered as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Rafique struck early in the powerplay, removing Tushar Imran (8) and Nadif Chowdhury (1), and went on to claim 4 for 18. He was ably supported by Elias Sunny, who took 5 for 20, as the pair shared nine wickets to bundle out BCB Green for just 90 in 15.2 overs.

For BCB Green, Shahriar Nafees top-scored with 33 off 19 balls, while Abdur Razzak was the only other batter to reach double figures with 18.

Rafique was named player of the match for his outstanding all-round display.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) organises exhibition matches featuring former players every year on Independence Day and Victory Day, and this year’s fixture continued that tradition.