Although primarily a left-arm fast bowler, Abu Haider Roni has made a sensational mark with the bat in this season’s National Cricket League. The 30-year-old all-rounder has transformed himself into a destructive batsman, carving his name into the tournament with explosive hitting.
Roni’s crowning performance came at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium during the seventh and final match of the league. Representing Mymensingh, he clobbered 13 sixes and 10 fours against Rajshahi, remaining unbeaten on 141 runs off 127 balls. This innings showcased the all-rounder’s ability to dominate the opposition with sheer power and precision.
Despite missing several games due to his commitments with the Bangladesh ‘A’ team in Hong Kong Sixes and the Asia Cup Rising Stars Tournament, Roni accumulated an astonishing total of 32 sixes in just seven innings across four matches. His boundary count alone stands at 31 fours, meaning he hit more sixes than fours—a rare feat in first-class cricket.
Overall, Roni scored 421 runs at an average of 105.25 and a strike rate of 116.94, with 316 of those runs coming exclusively from boundaries. No other player in this season reached even half of his six-hitting tally, with only four players managing double-digit six counts: Ziaur Rahman (13), Sohag Gazi (12), Soumya Sarkar (12), and Mohammad Naeem Sheikh (10).
Roni’s campaign began spectacularly in Sylhet, scoring his maiden first-class century from number eight with 10 fours and six sixes, finishing unbeaten on 107. Against Rangpur in the second round, he continued his form with 60 runs off 34 balls, including five sixes. After a brief hiatus for national duty, he returned to smash 97 off 76 balls with seven sixes and eight fours in the sixth round.
His final-round performance against Rajshahi revived memories of his debut, with a record-breaking 141 not out featuring 13 sixes and 10 fours. Unfortunately, even this remarkable innings could not secure victory for Mymensingh, who fell short of Rajshahi’s 428-run target, finishing at 281 all out. Veteran left-arm spinner Sanjamul Islam played a decisive role, taking five wickets in each innings to lead Rajshahi to victory.
Roni’s destructive batting has already become the talk of the league, proving that his talent extends far beyond fast bowling. This National League season will be remembered as the one where Abu Haider Roni emerged as a genuine all-round powerhouse, capable of dominating any bowling attack.
