Mohammad Ashraful has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The first cricket superstar of Bangladesh will put down his favorite cricket bat after the National League.
He will play for Mohammedan in Dhaka Premier League. Shakib Al Hasan, another superstar of Bangladesh will play in the same team.
In an interview given to the media on March 4, he said that the NCL might start after the Dhaka Premier League. Maybe I will play NCL or I will withdraw from all cricket inshallah.
Mohammad Ashraful is the name of an emotion in the history of Bangladeshi cricket. He holds a special place in the hearts of all cricket fans around the world, especially in Bangladesh.
He is considered one of the most talented cricketers to emerge from Bangladesh. Ashraful’s career was full of ups and downs.
In today’s article, we will take a deep dive into the life and career of Mohammad Ashraful, From his early days to his ban and retirement from cricket for match-fixing.
Table of Contents
Who is Ashraful? Life and Career
Mohammad Ashraful was born on July 7, 1984 (current age 38), in Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh. He grew up in a cricket-loving family and his father Abdul Matin was an avid sports fan.
This Bangladeshi right-handed batsman started playing cricket at a young age and quickly established himself as a talented batsman.
Ashraful played for the Bangladesh Under-15 team when he was just 12 years old and made his first-class cricket debut for Dhaka Division in 2000 at the age of 16.
He made his international debut in 2001 when the cricket superstar was just 17 years old. Ashraful became the youngest player to represent Bangladesh in Test cricket and made an immediate impact.
In his second Test match, against Sri Lanka, he scored a brilliant century, becoming the youngest player to score a century in Test cricket. Mohammad Ashraful’s innings of 114 runs were a testament to his extraordinary talent and marked him as a player.
International Career
In the years following his innings against Sri Lanka, he became an important member of the Bangladesh national cricket team. His elegant strokeplay and quick running ability made Ashraful a valuable asset.
This former cricketer played several memorable innings. One of his most notable performances came in the 2005 ICC Champions Trophy, where Ashraful scored a stunning century against Australia.
His innings of 100 off just 101 balls helped Bangladesh pull off one of the biggest upsets in cricket history, as they defeated the mighty Australians by five wickets.
His form has been inconsistent over the years and he has consistently struggled to replicate his early success. However, Ashraful remains a popular figure among Bangladeshi cricket fans.
Incidents of match-fixing scandals
In 2013, Ashraful was embroiled in a match-fixing scandal that rocked the cricketing world. He was playing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at the time and confessed to being involved in match-fixing.
Ashraful’s confession shocked the cricketing world and he was banned from cricket for eight years. The ban was later reduced to five years on appeal.
His involvement in match-fixing was a major blow to his reputation and tarnished his legacy as a cricketer. However, he took full responsibility for his actions and apologized to his fans and teammates.
Ashraful returned to cricket
Ashraful served his ban and returned to domestic cricket in 2016. He played for the Dhaka Dynamites in the Bangladesh Premier League, but he never quite managed to recapture the form that made him such a promising young talent.
Conclusion
Despite various controversies, Ashraful has managed to create a place of special love for millions of people in Bangladesh. His early career performances put Bangladesh cricket on the global map.
The only regret of the fans is that if this cricketer left the field after playing the last match for the national team, maybe it would have been less regretful. Still, he will always be remembered as one of the country’s most beloved sports icons.
FAQ
Is Mohammad Ashraful retired?
According to an interview given to the media on 4 March 2023, he said that the NCL could start after the Dhaka Premier League. Maybe I will play NCL or withdraw from all cricket inshallah.
How old is Ashraful?
According to Wikipedia Mohammad Ashraful, the current age is 38 years. He will be 39 years old on 7 July 2023.
Who is the first superstar of Bangladesh cricket?
Mohammad Ashraful is called the first superstar in the history of Bangladesh cricket. However, for success as an all-rounder in all three formats, Shakib Al Hasan is also placed in this category.
