Shoriful’s Record-Breaking Haul Predicted by Groundsman

In a remarkable turn of events during the latest fixture of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Shoriful Islam delivered a bowling performance for the ages. Representing the Chittagong Royals against the Noakhali Express, the left-arm pacer not only secured his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 cricket but also set a new national record for the most economical five-wicket haul by a Bangladeshi fast bowler.

A Prophetic Pre-Match Encounter

The day began with an unlikely prediction. While Shoriful was measuring his run-up before the toss, a local groundsman approached him with a bold claim. "A groundsman brother told me, 'I have a feeling you will take five wickets today,'" Shoriful recounted during the post-match press conference. Initially skeptical, given that he had only achieved a five-wicket haul once before in his entire professional career, Shoriful dismissed the comment as optimistic banter. However, as the match unfolded, the groundsman’s intuition proved to be eerily accurate.

Record-Breaking Statistics

Shoriful's spell was a masterclass in precision and aggression. Out of the 23 deliveries he bowled, an astonishing 18 were dot balls. He eventually finished with figures of 5 for 9, dismantling the Noakhali Express batting line-up and leading Chittagong to a comfortable five-wicket victory. This feat officially surpassed previous records to become the cheapest five-wicket haul by a domestic seamer in this format.

Viral Celebrations and Philanthropy

Beyond the numbers, Shoriful captured the crowd's imagination with a vibrant, impromptu dance celebration following the dismissal of Hassan Isakhil. The pacer revealed that the "hip-swaying" dance was prompted by his close friend and long-time teammate, Mohammad Naim. "Naim came up to me and said, 'Dance! Give us a dance!' It wasn't planned, but in the heat of the moment, we just went with it," Shoriful explained with a smile.

More heartening than the record itself is Shoriful’s commitment to his community. The Player of the Match announced that he would be donating his entire match prize money to underprivileged families in his home district. "I vowed that whenever I win Man of the Match, the money will go to those struggling back home. I am incredibly happy that this money will now reach them," he said.

Leading the Wicket Charts

With this five-wicket haul, Shoriful Islam has ascended to the top of the tournament's bowling charts, overtaking Hasan Mahmud.

Shoriful Islam: 18 wickets (8 matches)

Hasan Mahmud: 15 wickets (9 matches)

When asked if he intends to maintain his lead until the final, Shoriful remained humble, stating that he is focused on the process rather than the individual accolades.