Habibur Rahman Sohan has cemented his reputation as one of Bangladesh’s most explosive batsmen by shattering the record for the fastest century by a Bangladeshi cricketer in List A cricket (domestic 50-over format). Playing for Legends of Rupganj against City Club in the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League (DPL) at the ULAB Ground, the right-handed batsman reached his century in just 45 balls. This remarkable feat comes only six days after he equalled the record for the country’s fastest List A half-century.
Breaking and Consolidating Records
Prior to this match, the record for the fastest List A century by a Bangladeshi was jointly held by Habibur himself and Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, both having achieved the milestone in 49 balls. Habibur had previously set his 49-ball record during the 2023 Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL), while Mosaddek equalled it earlier this season playing for Abahani Limited against the exact same opponents, City Club. By reaching his century four balls quicker, Habibur now holds the record outright.
Key Statistics of Habibur’s Record-Breaking Innings
The table below outlines the statistical breakdown of Habibur Rahman’s historic innings, along with relevant historical benchmarks in Bangladeshi List A cricket:
| Match Statistic / Record Criterion | Details and Figures |
| Player & Team | Habibur Rahman Sohan (Legends of Rupganj) |
| Opponent & Venue | City Club at the ULAB Ground |
| Final Score | 130 runs from 58 balls |
| Milestone Speed | Half-century in 26 balls; Century in 45 balls |
| Boundary Count | 8 fours and 13 sixes |
| List A Sixes Record (Single Innings) | 2nd highest (13 sixes); Record is 19 sixes (Soumya Sarkar, 2019) |
| Previous Century Record | 49 balls (Held jointly by Habibur and Mosaddek Hossain) |
Innings Progression and Aggression
Habibur’s record-breaking knock did not begin with immediate fireworks. In fact, he had a relatively quiet start, scoring just 6 runs from his first 9 deliveries. His boundary count opened in the first ball of the fourth over, when he hit bowler Nihad-uj-Zaman for a four, followed immediately by a six off the next delivery.
When Nihad returned to bowl another over, Habibur took full advantage, smashing 22 runs from it. This surge allowed him to complete his half-century in 26 balls. Upon reaching fifty, the right-hander grew even more aggressive, accelerating fiercely to score his next 50 runs in a mere 19 deliveries to reach his hundred.
Habibur was eventually dismissed for 130 runs off 58 balls, caught by a delivery from Abdullah Al Mamun. His innings featured 8 fours and 13 sixes. The 13 sixes mark the second-highest number of sixes hit by a batsman in a single Bangladeshi List A innings. The current record is held by Soumya Sarkar, who struck 19 sixes during a Dhaka Premier League match in 2019.
Cross-Format Dominance
Habibur’s exceptional hitting form has been evident throughout the week. Just six days prior to this match, he registered a 15-ball half-century against Mohammedan Sporting Club. During that particular game, he demonstrated his power by taking 26 runs in a single over from national team pacer Nahid Rana, and 25 runs in an over from veteran fast bowler Taskin Ahmed.
Beyond the 50-over format, Habibur also holds the record for the fastest Twenty20 century by a Bangladeshi. He achieved this milestone last year while representing the Bangladesh ‘A’ team against Hong Kong, China, in the Asian Games (referred to as the Rising Stars Asia Cup), where he scored a century in just 35 balls. This 35-ball century remains the fastest recorded century by any Bangladeshi batsman across all formats of recognized cricket.