Emon elated to emulate idol Tamim Iqbal

Dhaka, 18 May - Opener Parvez Hossain Emon expressed his delight 
to emulate Tamim Iqbal by hitting a century in a T20 International match.

"I am particularly delighted to hit the century as only the second Bangladesh 
batter after Tamim Iqbal," Emon said in a press conference at the Sharjah 
Cricket Stadium after his 54 ball-100 run knock won Bangladesh the first T20 
against hosts the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 27 runs.

"I idolize him from my childhood. So, to join him in the T20 century club is 
something which is really exciting for me."

Tamim Iqbal who had recently announced his retirement from the International 
cricket was the first Bangladeshi batter to hit a T20 century when he made 63 
ball-103 against Oman in 2016 T20 World Cup.
 
His record stood for nine years before he got a companion like Emon in this 
club.

"I was well aware of Tamim Bhai's record as he scored that hundred against 
Oman. I try to watch all his games," Emon said.

"I am happy because I used to watch Tamim Bhai's game as a child and now name 
is right next to his."

Emon brought up his century off just 53 balls, making him the fastest T20 
centurion by eclipsing Tamim's record. Coincidentally, he also broke Tamim's 
record to be the fastest centurion by a Bangladeshi batter in domestic T20 
cricket. In 2021, he raised a century off 42 balls in a special T20 
tournament in Bangladesh. That record is still intact.
 
Despite Emon's whirlwind knock, Bangladesh failed to get past 200-run mark, 
which proved that they still need some improvements. Bangladesh, specially, 
failed to take the advantage of the last powerplay after losing some wickets 
in quick succession. Except Towhid Hridoy, none of the batters could touch 
the 20-run mark. 

"When the wickets were falling I just tried not to change my intent and I was 
always waiting to play to my strengths," Emon said.

"But at the same time, I was keeping this in my head that I needed to take 
the game deep and I had to carry on. I just tried to give the best," he added.BSS