Roqibul Hassan marked the Victory Day exhibition cricket match with a brilliant 111 runs which steered Shaheed Jewel XI outclass Shaheed Mushtaque XI by 149 runs at Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium on Monday. The newly married Roqibul plundered the bowlers all corners of the park to help Jewel XI amass a gigantic 285 for nine in the stipulated 40 overs. In reply, Mushtaque XI were shot out for 136 in just 27 overs.
Left arm spinner Enamul Haque Junior claimed four wickets for Mushtaque XI amid the whirlwind knock of Rokibul. Paceman Shahadat Hossain Rajib snapped up three for 43.
Zunaed Siddique was the other notable contributor with 33 for Jewel XI while birthday boy Anamul Haque Bijoy made 22.
Elias Sunny, who has been in a rich vein of form ripped through the Mushtaque XI’s batting line up claiming three for just seven runs. He was aptly supported by Sharif, Naeem and Muktar Ali who bagged two wickets apiece. Sanjamul Islam with unbeaten 25 was the highest scorer for the Mushtaque XI. Marshall Ayub made 20 while Mominul Haque and Imrul Kayes scored 14 runs each.
The traditional Victory Day cricket match was held in memory of Liberation War martyrs Shaheed Abdul Halim Chowdhury Jewel and Shaheed Mushtaque Ahmed. The first victory match was organised in 1972.
Shaheed Jewel was an attacking right-handed opening batsman who played for Azad Boys Club and Mohammedan Sporting Club, had earned quite a reputation for his attractive horizontal bat shots. His consistent batting form was taking him closer to his dream of earning a Test cap when the War of Liberation broke out in 1971. He was one of the first active cricketers of erstwhile East Pakistan to take up arms and join the fight for freedom. After a heroic nine months in the battlefields he was captured by the Pakistan army towards the end of the War and was killed days before Bangladesh became independent.
On the other hand, a devout cricket organizer Shaheed Mushtaque was an inspirational official of Azad Boys Club. He dedicated his life to the betterment of his club and its cricket aspirations. On the blood-splattered night of March 25, 1971 Mushtaque was shot dead by the Pakistan army near his beloved Azad Boys Club which was at that time situated near the Gulistan cinema hall.
-With The Independent input
