Mushfiqur sets mark before Bangladesh-Ireland ODI was called off due to rain

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim plays a shot during the second one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Bangladesh and Ireland at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet on March 20, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Mushfiqur Rahim hit the fastest century by a Bangladeshi batter before rain forced the second one-day international against Ireland to be called off on March 20.

Mushfiqur reached his ninth century off 60 balls, eclipsing Shakib Al Hasan’s mark of 63 balls set against Zimbabwe in 2009.

It helped Bangladesh compile a record total of 349-6, besting the 338-8 scored in winning the opener of the three-game series.

Rain arrived just after Bangladesh’s innings, forcing officials to call the game off.

Put into bat first, Bangladesh lost its captain Tamim Iqbal for 23 before Liton Das (70) and Najmul Hossain (73) combined for a 101-run second wicket to lay a solid platform.

Ireland paceman Graham Hume followed his 4-60 with 3-58 to spark a mini collapse in the middle order that left Bangladesh at 190-4 before Mushfiqur took the charge.

He and Towhid Hridoy, who scored 92 runs in the first match, added 228 off 78 deliveries. Hridoy just missed his second successive fifty-plus knock after being out for 49.

Led by Mushfiqur, who struck 14 fours and two sixes, Bangladesh then added 108 runs in the last 10 overs.

The third and deciding game of the series is Thursday.