Former Bangladesh all-rounder Mohammad Rafique brought back memories of the past as his whirlwind 81 helped Shaheed Mushtaque XI to victory against Shaheed Jewel XI in the Victory Day Exhibition Twenty20 at Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka Monday.
Rafique, a hard-hitting left-handed batsman back in the days, stroked 81 off just 39 balls as Shaheed Mushtaque reached their target of 163 in 18.2 overs for the loss of seven wickets.
Having lost their second wicket with 38 on the board, captain Rafique joined hands with Bangladesh’s first ODI centurion Mehrab Hossain and stitched together 118 for the third wicket.
Mehrab made 48 off 47 balls with four fours and a six, while Rafique was unbeaten at the end with eight boundaries and five sixers.
Mohammad Rafique of Shaheed Mushtaque XI was adjudged player of the match
When asked lightheartedly by the media if the 49-year old former left-arm Tigers spinner can still go strong in the Bangladesh Premier League, Rafique said, “There is no opportunity to think like that. Maybe I could have done it! But wherever I played, I played well. I feel good after picking up my first player of the match award in the Victory Day T20. I urge the Bangladesh Cricket Board to make the exhibition game more attractive. Three-four matches, then the final on December 16, maybe something like this.”
Shaheed Jewel earlier posted 162 losing four wickets in their stipulated 20 overs, Ehsanul Haque top-scoring with 52 for his side, while Sajal Chowdhury was undefeated on 46.
Former opening batsman Shahriar Biddyut chipped in with 32.
