Veni, vidi, vici for Imrul

In the year 47 BC, Roman emperor Julius Caesar won a battle in quick time and historians say he uttered three Latin words - Veni, vidi, vici – which translates to "I came, I saw I conquered." 

These famous words have been used many times ever since. But Bangladesh batsman Imrul Kayes showcased another performance that can only be described with these words. 

The left-handed batsman arrived in the UAE just a day before Bangladesh’s crucial encounter against Afghanistan, and his brilliant unbeaten 72 in the tough conditions played a key role behind the Tigers’ crucial win. 

Imrul, who batted either in opening or one-down in his previous 70 ODIs, came to the crease when his side were reeling on 87/5. He got a great partner in Mahmudullah and the duo stitched together a 128-run sixth-wicket stand, a Bangladesh record, to resurrect the side. 

Mahmudullah was dismissed for 74 in the 47th over but Imrul stayed till the end and struck a boundary in the last ball of the innings to finish on a high note.    

The left-handed top-order batsman was out from the ODI scene due to a rough patch and was in Khulna with the BCB High Performance team. 

Following Bangladesh’s batting struggles and the country’s premium opener Tamim Iqbal getting ruled out due to injury during the Tigers’ first match of the Asia Cup, he along with Soumya Sarkar were summoned by the BCB, who asked them to report to the national team in Dubai in 24 hours.

Imrul reached the Middle Eastern country Saturday night and before he could get any time to feel the atmosphere, he was in the playing XI the next day in an almost do-or-die game. 

And there was another twist in the tale as he was to bat at six in place of youngster Mosaddek Hossain. But like a true epic hero, he fought against all the odds and vanquished them with sheer willpower.  

However, he was regarded only as a side hero as his partner Mahmudullah, the man-of-the match, later picked up a crucial wicket and held a nice catch to steal the spotlight. But Mahmudullah did not forget to shower his partner with praise and wished for the continuation of his success. 

“Of course there was a special plan (with Imrul) because he is an experienced player. We needed to use that experience of his. Imrul flew in (Saturday) and played such an outstanding innings. It feels very good and I hope he continues this way,” said Mahmudullah following the victory against Afghanistan Sunday.

The Mahmudullah-Imrul heroics and Mustafizur Rahman defending seven runs in the final over saw Bangladesh heave a big sigh of relief but the side’s struggles with the batting, especially with the young players, was evident once again. Mahmudullah however, believes these young guns will start to fire big if they are given opportunities. 

“There are two factors here. All these days when Tamim was there, he has been playing really well. We are of course missing Tamim a lot. But it is also a good opportunity for other players. Liton (Das) played very well (Sunday). (Nazmul Hossain) Shanto is quite new, so we can't put too much pressure on him. He's quite new, but I think he is still a very good prospect for Bangladesh; we have to give him enough time. It was very pleasing to me because Imrul had never batted at six. Being a top-order batsman and playing such an innings was quite outstanding,” said Mahmudullah.

Read more

Mosaddek makes ODI comeback after four years

Bangladesh all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain Saikat has earned a recall to the...

Afghan women’s football team rebuilds dream in exile after Taliban takeover

Afghan women footballers who fled their country after the Taliban returned to...

Miraz, Hasan picked in Lankan Premier League draft

Allrounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz and fast bowler Hasan Mahmud were picked up by...
© 2A Media Limited 2026