Parvez Hossain Emon elated to surpass idol Tamim Iqbal's record

BANGLADESH'S TOUR OF UAE, 2025

Parvez Hossain Emon elated to surpass idol Tamim Iqbal's record

by Atif Azam • Last updated on

Parvez Hossain Emon became only the second Bangladeshi batter to score a T20I hundred. © Emirates Cricket Board

Parvez Hossain Emon, coming from Chattogram, idolised Tamim Iqbal as he grew up watching the veteran left-hander and tried to imbibe the same aggressive mindset that separated the former captain from his peers.

Till Saturday (May 17), Tamim was the lone T20I centurion for the country with his 60-ball hundred against Oman that he scored in 2016 during in the first round of 2016 ICC World Twenty20 at Dharmasala. Parvez rewrote history with his blistering knock, making 100 in 53 ball that was compiled on the back of sensational power-hitting and precise placement. In the process he became the first Bangladeshi to hit nine sixes in a T20I game but for Parvez, matching Tamim's record was the biggest win, a player he adored and played under during his early days.

"Yes, I was well aware of Tamim bhai's [record] as he scored that hundred against Oman. I try to watch all his games," Emon said after his Player of the Match performance against hosts UAE. "Alhamdulliah, I am feeling good as I scored a century. After returning home, I remembered that Tamim bhai scored the first century. I am happy because I used to watch Tamim bhai's game as a child and now name name is right next to his."

Despite Emon's brilliant innings, Bangladesh's total did not surpass 200, due to a batting collapse at the other end. Except Towhid Hridoy, none of the batters could touch the 20-run mark. But Emon kept the scoreboard moving before getting dismissed in the last over.

"When the wickets were falling I just tried not to change my intent and I was always waiting to play to my strengths. But at the same time I was keeping this in my head that I needed to take the game deep and I had to carry on. I just tried to give the best."

While Parvez was elated with his century, Bangladesh's skipper Litton Das admitted that there is room for improvement despite earning 27-run win. "Definitely, it was a good total. The wicket was very good for batting and the way Emon batted was outstanding," said Litton. "But we have to finish better. We couldn't score much in the last three overs."

Litton added that he had full confidence in his bowling unit as the batting faltered slightly at the end and the bowlers kept his faith. Led by Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib - who shared seven wickets between them - UAE were kept to just 164.

"I always know my bowlers can bounce back at any time. I trust our bowling unit," said Litton. "That said, credit to the UAE batters as well. They batted very well in the middle overs and we need to learn from this - to understand what kind of bowling works on this pitch. The way all the bowlers bowled and showed composure was impressive. It looked 50-50 in the middle overs, but they pulled it back brilliantly," he added

Bangladesh, who are leading by 1-0 margin in the two-match series, will take on the hosts in the series-deciding second game at the same venue in Sharjah on May 19.

© Cricbuzz

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