International Cricket Returns to North Bengal, Series Tied with Tamims Century

After a long break, international cricket has returned to North Bengal. The comeback came in Bogura with a series against the Afghanistan Under-19 team, marking the return of international cricket to the city after 16 years. Bangladesh’s youth team won the first of the two matches held at Shaheed Chandu Stadium. However, due to rain, not a single ball was bowled in the second match. Leading 1-0, Tamim-led Azizul Hakim’s side then moved to Rajshahi, where Afghanistan’s youth team secured a commanding 109-run victory in the second match at Shaheed Kamruzzaman Stadium, leveling the series. In the fourth match, Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by 47 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

Even Iqbal Hossain Imon’s fiery bowling couldn’t secure a win for Bangladesh. Imon took six wickets for just 51 runs, but after dismissing Afghanistan for 258, the home batsmen failed, and Bangladesh managed only 211.

This set the stage for a do-or-die final ODI for Bangladesh. To save the series, there was no alternative but victory. In such a crucial match, captain Azizul Hakim Tamim led from the front with the bat. Supported by the bowlers’ efforts, the Tiger youth team achieved a crucial 2-wicket win, thanks to Tamim’s brilliant century.

Chasing 209, Tamim anchored the innings from the start. Amidst the constant fall of wickets around him, he played a magnificent 118-ball innings, scoring 100 runs with seven fours and three sixes. He built important partnerships: 44 runs with Rizwan Hasan (27) for the third wicket, 54 runs with Farid Hasan (23) for the fifth, and 46 runs with Shahriar Al Amin for the eighth, guiding the team close to victory.

However, just 2 runs short of victory, the captain was dismissed by Salman Khan. Shahriar Al Amin (17*) then completed the chase with independent Islam, who hit the winning boundary as soon as he came to the crease. Bangladesh secured the win in 45.5 overs with 2 wickets remaining.

Among Afghanistan’s bowlers, Wahidullah Zadran was the most successful with four wickets, while Salman Khan and Uzairullah Niazi took two each.

Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat, Afghanistan was restricted to 208/8 in 50 overs by Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling. Opener Osman Sadat top-scored for Afghanistan with 68 runs, while Mahbub Khan added 40. Samium Bashir took two wickets for Bangladesh, and Sad Islam, Shahriar Ahmed, and Shahriar Al Amin took one wicket each.

With this win, Bangladesh drew the five-match series 2-2.