Six-year-old’s signature sealed Mahmudullah century

Mahmudullah has explained his unusual celebration on reaching his century against New Zealand.

After bowing down in the direction of Mecca on bringing up his hundred, the Bangladesh right-hander turned the blade round and gestured towards the dressing room, pointing to the back of his bat.

Now he’s revealed that the gesture was aimed at his six-year-old son Raeid, who had signed the blade and told his father to use that particular bat during the ICC Champions Trophy.

“Before leaving for the UK when I was packing my kit my son scribbled something on one of my bats,” Mahmudullah said.

“When I asked him what it was he said he was signing the bat for me.”

Mahmudullah made a match-winning unbeaten 102 from 107 balls during his team’s must-win match against the Black Caps in Cardiff.

Coming together at 33-4, he and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (114) put on 224 for the fifth wicket to take Bangladesh to a memorable win that – thanks to England’s victory over Australia the following day – earned the Tigers a spot in the semi-finals.

It was Mahmudullah’s third century in ICC events – following his twin tons at the ICC World Cup in 2015.

As Bangladesh prepares for its first ever knockout match in an ICC Champions Trophy tournament – a hotly anticipated tie against India at Edgbaston – there can be little doubt which bat Mahmudullah is planning to use.