Ashraful Haque
Encyclopedia
Syed Ashraful Haq is a Bangladeshi cricketer
. He was the architect of Bangladesh's first ever ICC Trophy
victory, over Fiji in May 1979. His 7/23 from 9.2 over
s completely destroyed the Fiji middle order, leading Bangladesh to a 22 run win. He was also a member of the Bangladesh side that played in the historic match at Dhaka
against the MCC
in January 1977. A right hand batsman and an off break bowler, Ashraful remained an integral part of the national side until his retirement in 1981-82 season.
, was the unlikely setting for Bangladesh
's first-ever international cricket match abroad. On May 24, 1979, Bangladesh played against Fiji in the first ICC Trophy
tournament. Bangladesh were the firm favorites, yet batting first they only scored 103 all out. An upset looked on the cards, until Syed Ashraful came on to bowl. The magic of his spin completely mesmerized the Pacific islanders. From 40/2, Fiji
collapsed to 81 all out. It was at that time the best figures for a Bangladeshi bowler in international cricket, until Obaidul Haq Azam improved the figures with his 7/18 against the MCC. It was also the record for best bowling in the ICC Trophy. Ole Mortensen
, the Danish and Derbyshire fast bowler improved the figures with 7/19 against Israel
in Kenya, 1994.
Ashraful had an impressive ICC Trophy
with both bat and ball. He used his long experience in English conditions to great effect. As well as his success with the ball, he played several useful innings: 23 against Canada, 22 against Malaysia and 31 against Denmark.
in January 1977. He failed in the match, but he did score 68 for East Zone at Chittagong
. In fact, he seemed to have a special liking for Chittagong
. A year later, against test standard Sri Lankan side he scored 42 and 49, and captured 2 wickets for 70 runs at Chittagong
.
He retired from international cricket after the 1981-82 season.
with the Azad Boys club. In national cricket, he became the first player to score a double hundred, scoring 214 for Bangladesh Shipping Corporation in 1981-82 season.
Cricketer
A cricketer is a person who plays the sport of cricket. Official and long-established cricket publications prefer the traditional word "cricketer" over the rarely used term "cricket player"....
. He was the architect of Bangladesh's first ever ICC Trophy
ICC Trophy
The ICC World Cup Qualifier is an international one-day cricket tournament run under the auspices of the International Cricket Council. Any Associate or Affiliate member of the ICC may attempt to qualify for the ICC Trophy by means of a system of regional qualifying events. The test-playing Full...
victory, over Fiji in May 1979. His 7/23 from 9.2 over
Over (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, an over is a set of six consecutive balls bowled in succession. An over is normally bowled by a single bowler. However, in the event of injury preventing a bowler from completing an over, it is completed by a teammate....
s completely destroyed the Fiji middle order, leading Bangladesh to a 22 run win. He was also a member of the Bangladesh side that played in the historic match at Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
against the MCC
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
in January 1977. A right hand batsman and an off break bowler, Ashraful remained an integral part of the national side until his retirement in 1981-82 season.
ICC Trophy
The Water Orton Cricket Club ground, in BirminghamBirmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, was the unlikely setting for Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
's first-ever international cricket match abroad. On May 24, 1979, Bangladesh played against Fiji in the first ICC Trophy
ICC Trophy
The ICC World Cup Qualifier is an international one-day cricket tournament run under the auspices of the International Cricket Council. Any Associate or Affiliate member of the ICC may attempt to qualify for the ICC Trophy by means of a system of regional qualifying events. The test-playing Full...
tournament. Bangladesh were the firm favorites, yet batting first they only scored 103 all out. An upset looked on the cards, until Syed Ashraful came on to bowl. The magic of his spin completely mesmerized the Pacific islanders. From 40/2, Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
collapsed to 81 all out. It was at that time the best figures for a Bangladeshi bowler in international cricket, until Obaidul Haq Azam improved the figures with his 7/18 against the MCC. It was also the record for best bowling in the ICC Trophy. Ole Mortensen
Ole Mortensen
Ole Henrik Mortensen is a former Danish cricketer, probably the best his country has produced. A fast-medium right-arm bowler, in a first-class career with Derbyshire that ran from 1983 to 1994 he took 434 wickets at a good average of 23.88.For Denmark, Mortensen appeared in four ICC Trophy...
, the Danish and Derbyshire fast bowler improved the figures with 7/19 against Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
in Kenya, 1994.
Ashraful had an impressive ICC Trophy
ICC Trophy
The ICC World Cup Qualifier is an international one-day cricket tournament run under the auspices of the International Cricket Council. Any Associate or Affiliate member of the ICC may attempt to qualify for the ICC Trophy by means of a system of regional qualifying events. The test-playing Full...
with both bat and ball. He used his long experience in English conditions to great effect. As well as his success with the ball, he played several useful innings: 23 against Canada, 22 against Malaysia and 31 against Denmark.
Other international matches
He was a part of the Bangladesh team that played in the historical game against the MCC at DhakaDhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
in January 1977. He failed in the match, but he did score 68 for East Zone at Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
. In fact, he seemed to have a special liking for Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
. A year later, against test standard Sri Lankan side he scored 42 and 49, and captured 2 wickets for 70 runs at Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
.
He retired from international cricket after the 1981-82 season.
In Domestic Cricket
He played most of his club cricket at DhakaDhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
with the Azad Boys club. In national cricket, he became the first player to score a double hundred, scoring 214 for Bangladesh Shipping Corporation in 1981-82 season.
See also
- Marylebone Cricket Club cricket team in Bangladesh in 1976-77Marylebone Cricket Club cricket team in Bangladesh in 1976-77The Marylebone Cricket Club tour of Bangladesh during the winter of 1976/77 marked the entrance of Bangladesh into international cricket. Though the tour was very short, it gave the Bangladeshi players their first taste of international cricket....
- Sri Lankan cricket team in Bangladesh in 1977-78Sri Lankan cricket team in Bangladesh in 1977-78The month-long tour, during January 1978, turned out to be a big disappointment for both the sides. The Lankan visitors were disappointed by the low quality of local opposition, while the local players found their opponents too difficult to handle. As a result the tour was full of badly one-sided...
- 1979 ICC Trophy1979 ICC TrophyCanada proved too strong for Malaysia, Rasiah Ratnalingham's excellent analysis of 12-5-18-3 not enough to stop the Canadians winning by 44 runs thanks to 77 from Cecil Marshall and 4-33 from John Vaughan...
External links
- http://www.articlesbase.com/cricket-articles/the-spinners-2090427.html by Rafiqul Ameer
- http://www.articlesbase.com/cricket-articles/the-first-generation-cricketers-of-bangladesh-2210264.html by Rafiqul Ameer