Bangladesh opener Tamim's terrific knock

Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal is delighted after reaching a milestone during the first test against Pakistan at Khulna Stadium. Photo: STAR

Shaquib Tayeem Ahmed

Tamim Iqbal smashed his way into the record books with the highest score for Bangladesh in test matches with his superb knock of 206 runs from 278 balls in the first test match against Pakistan today at Khulna Stadium.
His first double century was only the second of such a milestone achieved by a Bangladeshi batsman after Mushfiqur Rahim’s 200 against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2013.
Tamim was also instrumental in the highest opening stand in test matches as he and Imrul Kayes put up 312 runs in the second innings of this match. Moreover, the partnership was also the highest in terms of runs for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal reacts after scoring a century (100 runs) during the fourth day of the first cricket Test match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at The Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna on May 1, 2015. Photo: AFP

Tamim was his usual self from ball one and dictated terms to the Pakistan bowlers with sheer disdain. He didn’t let any loose ball go unpunished in his knock and spanked the opposition bowlers all around the park with seventeen fours and seven soaring sixes.
The southpaw from Chittagong made sure the tempo of his innings didn’t drop for any length of time as he kept the scoreboard ticking with ones and twos besides hitting the big shots to the delight of the home crowd.
In the last three test matches Tamim played, his scores read: 109, 20, 109, 65, 25 and 206. Surely the best way of silencing his critics...don't you think?

Incredible effort from Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes

Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes scored his highest score of 150 runs in the first test against Pakistan at the Khulna Stadium. Photo: STAR

Shaquib Tayeem Ahmed

Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes scored his highest test score of 150 runs in the first test against Pakistan at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna today.
After Tigers conceded a massive deficit of 296 runs, Imrul Kayes came out to bat in the second innings with a huge responsibility on his shoulders. Any slip-up could place his team in a precarious position, making it extremely difficult to save the test match.
Fortunately for Bangladesh, Imrul rose to the occasion and counter-attacked the Pakistan bowlers with magnificent shots all around the wicket. He was reading the length with consummate ease and didn’t let any loose ball go unpunished.
Imrul knock of 150 runs came from 240 balls, with 16 fours and three sixes entertaining the home crowd at Khulna and Bangladesh fans in front of television sets. He notched up a third test ton in his last four test matches.
After Mushfiqur Rahim got hurt, Imrul had to don the gloves and kept wickets for most of the Pakistan’s first innings, which lasted 168.4 overs.
Not only his knock but Imrul’s level of stamina was truly incredible during the test match.
Imrul’s previous best test score was 130 which he made in 2014 against Zimbabwe at Chittagong.

Imrul Kayes took on the Pakistan bowlers during his knock of 150 runs in the first test match at Khulna Stadium. Photo: STAR

BNP demands fresh city polls

Star Online Report

BNP today urged the Election Commission to cancel the recently held city polls to Dhaka and Chittagong alleging massive irregularities, and demanded fresh polls to the three city corporations.
“If the city polls are not cancelled, people will give a fitting reply to the Awami League-led government. They will face dire consequences,” BNP standing committee member Brig Gen (retd) ASM Hannan Shah told reporters.
The BNP leader came up with the demands after placing wreaths at the grave of late president Ziaur Rahman in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Flanked with party leaders and activists, Hannan Shah went there to mark the founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, labour front of the BNP.
BNP-backed mayoral candidates for Dhaka north, south and Chittagong city corporations announced to boycott the electoral race midway, alleging “widespread rigging” in the April 28 polls.
Talking to reporters, Hannan Shah claimed that different quarters are raising questions -- why didn’t the BNP go for immediate action after boycotting the polls.
“In reply, we want to say that we protested silently and that was the right thing to do,” Hannan said.

The senior BNP leader also said massive irregularities, vote rigging and ruling party’s threats to opposition have given us clear idea of what would happen if parliamentary election is held under the present government.
“We have also got clear idea from the Apr 28 polls rigging, what Sheikh Hasina government had done in January 5, 2014 national election,” Hannan Shah added.
Replying to a question, he said leaders of BNP-led 20-party will sit “soon” to decide its next course of action regarding the anti-government movement.
Asked when they would announce their next programme, the former army officer turned politician said: “In armed forces, we never reveal strategy, strength and timing. Therefore, you will have to wait to know that.”