Emon emulates idol Tamim with record-breaking ton in Sharjah

Parvez Hossain Emon became only the second Bangladeshi to score a T20I century, smashing a 54-ball hundred to help the Tigers post 191 for seven against the UAE in the first of the two-match series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Bangladesh went on to win the match by 27 runs.

The 21-year-old's innings was not only the fastest T20I century by a Bangladeshi — eclipsing Tamim Iqbal's 60-ball ton against Oman in 2016 — but also one of deep personal significance.

"Yes! I remember Tamim bhai's hundred. It was against Oman — he was hitting so well. I always watch all his matches, so that one stayed in my memory," Emon said after the match, reminiscing about his idol's milestone knock in the 2016 T20 World Cup.

"Alhamdulillah, it feels good to have scored a century today. After coming back to the dressing room, I remembered that Tamim bhai made the first hundred. So mine is the second. Overall, it feels really good. I've been following Tamim bhai since childhood, used to watch his games. I enjoyed it a lot. My name came after his, so Alhamdulillah, it felt really special."

Emon's knock was a blend of composure and brute force. He struck nine sixes and five fours, setting a new record for the most sixes by a Bangladeshi in a T20I innings — surpassing Rishad Hossain's seven maximums against Sri Lanka last year.

Bangladesh as a team also hit 13 sixes, the most they've ever managed in a T20I innings, breaking their previous best of 12 against Sri Lanka during the Nidahas Trophy in 2018.

There was a moment of anxiety when Emon, batting on 84, was caught off Matiullah Khan — but he was saved by a no-ball. He made the most of the reprieve and reached his century in just 53 balls, seven faster than Tamim's.

Emon was eventually bowled in the final over by Muhammad Jawadullah after scoring exactly 100, but by then, he had done the damage. UAE finished on 164 for nine in reply, as Bangladesh sealed the match by 27 runs.

"When wickets were falling, I tried not to change my intent. I was waiting for opportunities in my strong areas. I also had it in mind that I needed to play a big innings. Since wickets were falling from the other end, I had to carry the innings. I tried to do that. Alhamdulillah, I was able to do it till the end."

From idolising Tamim Iqbal to now joining him in Bangladesh's T20I century-makers list, Emon marked a personal milestone in Sharjah — a knock that may well signal the beginning of a promising chapter in his international career.