Published: Jan 28, 2015, 10:20 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 28, 2015, 10:20 PM (IST)
Unpredictability is a part and parcel of cricket and the game has witnessed some extraordinary happenings in the long history of its existence. Unexpected turnarounds are possible in any given situation. One such instance took place during a National Cricket League match in April 2014.
Rajshahi Division were playing against Chittagong Division at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan No 3 Ground, Savar. After winning the toss, Rajshahi Division choose to bat first but the decision proved to be a bane when they were reduced to a 77 for six at lunch on the first day.
Post lunch, an unforeseen nonetheless one of the most dramatic turnaround took place with all-rounder Farhad Reza and number eight Sanjamul Islam adding 347, the third-highest seventh-wicket stand in first-class history. Then came Muktar Ali who tormented the Chittagong bowlers, reducing the fielders to spectators by smashing 16 sixes to equal the record for most sixes in a First-Class innings. Rajshahi eventually declared for 675 for nine as their seventh, eighth and ninth number batsmen, Reza (259), Sanjamul (172) and Muktar (168) scored a collective 598 runs of the total.
The total proved to be massive for the opposition as they bundled out for 208, thereby losing by 403 runs. Rajshahi Division declared their second innings at 128 for two in just 14 overs and bowled out Chittagong for 192 in their second innings.
From 77 for six, the Mushfiqur Rahim led Rajshahi Division went on to win the match by 403 runs against a star-studded Chittagong Division that had the likes of Tamim Iqbal, Mominul Haq and Aftab Ahmed.
