Kent:Bangladesh fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Syed Khaled Ahmed played pivotal roles in Kent's promotion to Division One of the English County Championship. Their outstanding performances were instrumental in helping the team secure second place in Division Two, marking a swift return to the top tier.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the contributions of Hasan and Khaled were significant, considering that Kent had finished at the bottom of Division Two in the previous season. In just seven matches, the duo combined for 42 wickets, driving Kent's successful campaign.
Hasan Mahmud was particularly influential in the team's promotion efforts, claiming 26 wickets in four matches before rejoining the Bangladesh national team. His performance was a major boost for Kent in the crucial closing stages of the season.
Syed Khaled Ahmed, who joined Kent later in the season, also made a notable impact. The right-arm pacer took 16 wickets in three matches, including a decisive eight-wicket haul in a crucial seven-wicket victory over Lancashire, which was vital in Kent's promotion bid.
Khaled continued to perform well, securing five wickets across two innings in Kent's final match against Gloucestershire, a game they won by eight wickets. This victory, combined with Northamptonshire's loss to Middlesex, confirmed Kent's second-place finish with 198 points from 14 matches, while Northamptonshire ended with 191 points.