Bangladesh has raised its game in both ODIs and T20Is through aggressive cricket, reflecting their growing strength in ICC events. The Bangla Tigers have often played fearless cricket in major tournaments, surprising many top Test-playing nations. Here is a list of ten Bangladeshi cricketers who have transformed the fate of their team:
10. Shakib Al Hasan
Since Shakib Al Hasan joined the team, Bangladesh’s performance has significantly improved. He has been a crucial figure, excelling in both batting and bowling while also leading the team.
In 2009, Shakib’s outstanding performances elevated him to the team’s top player in the absence of the regular captain. As captain, he led Bangladesh to victories over the West Indies in both Tests and ODIs on home soil.
Shakib is highly respected in Bangladesh for his illustrious cricket career, having played a key role in elevating the country’s cricketing standards.
9. Mashrafe Mortaza
Mashrafe Mortaza played cricket for Bangladesh for over 19 years, earning recognition through his hard work and determination. Renowned for his economical bowling, he spearheaded the team’s bowling attack for many years.
Mortaza also served as Bangladesh’s captain, guiding them to success in major tournaments such as the 2015 ICC World Cup, the 2016 Asia Cup, and the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. Under his leadership, Bangladesh performed admirably against top teams, and his contributions have made him a highly respected figure in his country.
8. Mustafizur Rahman
Mustafizur Rahman, a prominent figure in Bangladesh cricket, rose to fame in 2015 with an outstanding performance against India. During India’s tour of Bangladesh, he claimed 13 wickets in three ODIs, a remarkable feat that contributed to Bangladesh’s first-ever ODI series win against India—a historic moment for the team.
Since then, Mustafizur has excelled in shorter formats of the game, earning a reputation for his economical bowling and reliability. Over the past seven years, his consistent performances have made him a role model for aspiring Bangladeshi cricketers.
7. Mushfiqur Rahim
Mushfiqur Rahim has been a vital part of Bangladesh cricket for 17 years, renowned for his reliable middle-order batting. His consistent performances have earned him the nickname “Mr. Dependable.” A key figure in the team’s success, Rahim has elevated Bangladesh’s game with his impressive batting, particularly in crucial matches. Fans fondly recall his memorable innings during the 2007 and 2015 World Cups against India and England. Even at 35, Rahim remains highly respected and admired by Bangladeshi fans for his exceptional skills.
6. Mohammad Ashraful
Mohammad Ashraful became Bangladesh cricket’s first major star after his remarkable century in a one-day international against Australia in Cardiff in 2005, earning widespread fame in his home country.
In 2007, he delivered several memorable performances, including an 87-run innings in a Super 8 match against South Africa during the Cricket World Cup, contributing to Bangladesh’s victory.
Later that year, Ashraful played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s win over the West Indies in the 2007 T20 World Cup, scoring 61 runs and helping his team advance to the Super 8 stage of the inaugural tournament.
5. Rubel Hossain
Over the past 15 years, Bangladesh has produced a wave of talented cricketers, with Rubel Hossain being a standout. He joined the national team in 2009 and quickly established himself as a key bowler. Until 2016, Bangladesh consistently relied on him to deliver early breakthroughs alongside their bowling leader, Mashrafe Mortaza.
Hossain’s talent shone during the 2015 World Cup, particularly in a pivotal match against England. In his second World Cup appearance, he played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s 15-run victory at the Adelaide Oval, taking 4 wickets for 53 runs in 9.3 overs. His outstanding performance helped Bangladesh reach the quarter-finals against India.
4. Habibul Bashar
In 2004, Habibul Bashar took over as captain of Bangladesh’s cricket team. Under his leadership, Bangladesh began securing victories against top teams like India and Australia.
During his three-year captaincy, Bangladesh achieved their best-ever performance in the 2007 World Cup (50 overs). They stunned the cricketing world by defeating India in the group stage and advancing to the next round. In the Super 8 stage, they delivered another upset, beating South Africa by 67 runs.
After leading Bangladesh in a home series against India in 2007, Habibul Bashar retired from international cricket. His tenure as captain marked significant progress for Bangladesh as a cricketing nation.
3. Mohammad Rafique
Mohammad Rafique began his international career in 1995 when Bangladesh was considered an average team. However, in 1999, during the World Cup in England, Bangladesh shocked everyone by defeating the formidable Pakistan team for the first time.
In that match, Rafique, renowned for his spin bowling, claimed one wicket while conceding only 28 runs. His standout performance in the World Cup occurred in 2007 against India, where he, alongside Mashrafe Mortaza and Abdur Razzak, played a crucial role in restricting India to just 191 runs.
Leveraging his experience and skills, Rafique took the wickets of three key Indian batsmen: Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Following this memorable World Cup victory, Rafique retired in 2008 after playing his final Test series at home against South Africa.
2. Abdur Razzak
Abdur Razzak had a distinguished professional cricket career spanning 14 years, during which Bangladesh made significant strides in the sport. As a left-arm spinner, he played a pivotal role in this development.
Following the retirement of Mohammad Rafique, Razzak took on the leadership of the spin bowling unit. In 2013, he became the first Bangladeshi bowler to achieve 200 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Razzak was instrumental in Bangladesh’s victories over India and England in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, where he secured vital wickets and maintained an economical bowling style.
In a landmark home series against New Zealand in 2010, Razzak showcased his skill by taking seven wickets at an impressive economy rate of 4.08. He retired from all forms of cricket in 2021.
1. Tamim Iqbal
Tamim Iqbal has represented Bangladesh for 15 years, starting his career in 2007 with a match against Zimbabwe. Just a month later, he made a significant impact by scoring a vital fifty against India, contributing to Bangladesh’s first World Cup victory over them.
Throughout his career, Tamim has captivated fans with numerous outstanding performances. His explosive starts have frequently propelled Bangladesh to crucial victories. In August 2022, he announced his retirement from T20 internationals, but he continues to play in ODIs and Tests. His wealth of experience and cricketing insight will be invaluable for the younger players striving to improve.