Anwarul Amin
Encyclopedia
Anwarul Amin, commonly known as Azhar, was a Bangladeshi cricketer. A right arm off-break bowler, Azhar played for the national side in the first half of the 1980s.
, playing for the Central Zone side, he took 3/24 against the MCC
in 1980–81. With Obaidul Haq Azam taking 7/18, the tourists were bundled out for a 79 in their first innings. For Azhar, even bigger success came in three-day match at Rajshahi
. By taking 6 wickets for 48 runs, he restricted the MCC side to 255.
Azhar was a successful member of the Bangladesh cricket team that took part in the 2nd ICC Trophy
in England
. He took 8 wickets at an average of 19.37. His economy rate was 2.44 tuns per over.
Anwarul Amin Azhar was a part of the Bangladesh 14 that won the 1984 South-East Asia Cup
in Dhaka
(And thus qualified for the 1986 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka). But, he had little opportunity to show his class, as the team depended almost completely on its four seamers. The leg spinner Wahidul Gani
impressed while playing for the Bangladesh Tigers (the 2nd string side) and he was preferred to Azhar for the tour of Kenya
in the spring of 1984. Azhar, however, was recalled for the home series against the Hyderabad Blues. In his final international match at Dhaka
, Azhar bowed out in style. He dismissed four top-order Indian batsman, and along with leg spinner Omar Khaled Rumy
put the opposition in trouble.
, Azhar played most of his League cricket at Dhaka
with the Bangladesh Biman cricket team.
, Ashraful Haque
and Rumy
. Things, however changed in the early 80s. Lintu
left international cricket following an altercation with the authority, and Ashraful
and Rumy
were coming towards the end of their careers. It was Azhar, who was left to carry the burden of spin bowling. He did his job manfully for the first half of the decade. That's why many analysts (like Rafiqul Ameer) consider him to be the best Bangladeshi spinner of the 80s. Both Wahidul Gani
& Ramchand Goala were more successful than Azhar in domestic cricket. But they failed to deliver the goods in the international arena.
International career
He was a bit late coming into international cricket. He was already into his thirties when he first played for the national side. However, having waited for a long time to get his chance, he was quick to seize the opportunity presented to him. At FaridpurFaridpur District
Faridpur is a district in central Bangladesh. It is a part of the Dhaka Division. Faridpur District has a population of over 1.7 million people and is situated on the banks of the Padma river . It is bordered by Madaripur, Narail, Rajbari, Magura, Shariatpur, Gopalgonj, Dhaka and Manikganj...
, playing for the Central Zone side, he took 3/24 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 1980–81. With Obaidul Haq Azam taking 7/18, the tourists were bundled out for a 79 in their first innings. For Azhar, even bigger success came in three-day match at Rajshahi
Rajshahi
The city of Rajshahi is the divisional headquarters of Rajshahi division as well as the administrative district that bears its name and is one of the six metropolitan cities of Bangladesh. Often referred to as Silk City and Education City, Rajshahi is located in the north-west of the country and...
. By taking 6 wickets for 48 runs, he restricted the MCC side to 255.
Azhar was a successful member of the Bangladesh cricket team that took part in the 2nd ICC Trophy
1982 ICC Trophy
The 1982 ICC Trophy was a limited-overs cricket tournament held in England between 16 June and 10 July 1982. It was the second ICC Trophy tournament to be staged, with matches between the 16 participating teams played over 60 overs a side and with white clothing and red balls...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He took 8 wickets at an average of 19.37. His economy rate was 2.44 tuns per over.
Anwarul Amin Azhar was a part of the Bangladesh 14 that won the 1984 South-East Asia Cup
1984 South-East Asia Cup
The First South-East Asian Cricket Tournament was held in Dhaka in January 1984. Two teams from the host country were joined by teams from Singapore and Hong Kong...
in 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...
(And thus qualified for the 1986 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka). But, he had little opportunity to show his class, as the team depended almost completely on its four seamers. The leg spinner Wahidul Gani
Wahidul Gani
Wahidul Gani is a former Bangladeshi cricketer who played in one ODI in 1988 and coach who is mostly regarded for his coaching to the young and talented cricketers.-Playing career:Wahidul Gani was a right arm leg spin bowler and a lower order batsman...
impressed while playing for the Bangladesh Tigers (the 2nd string side) and he was preferred to Azhar for the tour of Kenya
Bangladeshi cricket team in Kenya in 1983-84
The tour of the Bangladesh team to Kenya, during February, 1984, was the first visit of Bangladesh to any associate member country. The tour started a rivalry which became very intense in the 90's...
in the spring of 1984. Azhar, however, was recalled for the home series against the Hyderabad Blues. In his final international 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...
, Azhar bowed out in style. He dismissed four top-order Indian batsman, and along with leg spinner Omar Khaled Rumy
Omar Khaled Rumy
Omar Mohammad Khaled was a Bangladeshi cricketer. A middle order batsman and a leg spin googley bowler, he played regularly for the national side between 1976-77 to 1983-84.-As a batsman:...
put the opposition in trouble.
Domestic cricket
Originally from MymensinghMymensingh
Mymensingh , pronounced moy-mon-shing-haw, is a city of Bangladesh situated on the river Brahmaputra. It is the headquarters of the administrative unit Mymensingh District. Mymensingh is the anglicized pronunciation of the original name Momenshahi, referring to a ruler called Momen Shah. The cadet...
, Azhar played most of his League cricket 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...
with the Bangladesh Biman cricket team.
The best spinner of the 80s
In the late 70s Bangladesh had three quality spinners, LintuNazrul Kader
Nazrul Kader, also known as Lintu, was a left arm spin bowler from Bangladesh. He was a member of the Bangladesh cricket team that played against the MCC in the historical match at Dhaka in 1976-77.-Bowling action:...
, Ashraful Haque
Ashraful Haque
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 overs completely destroyed the Fiji middle order, leading Bangladesh to a 22 run win. He was also a member of the Bangladesh side that played...
and Rumy
Omar Khaled Rumy
Omar Mohammad Khaled was a Bangladeshi cricketer. A middle order batsman and a leg spin googley bowler, he played regularly for the national side between 1976-77 to 1983-84.-As a batsman:...
. Things, however changed in the early 80s. Lintu
Nazrul Kader
Nazrul Kader, also known as Lintu, was a left arm spin bowler from Bangladesh. He was a member of the Bangladesh cricket team that played against the MCC in the historical match at Dhaka in 1976-77.-Bowling action:...
left international cricket following an altercation with the authority, and Ashraful
Ashraful Haque
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 overs completely destroyed the Fiji middle order, leading Bangladesh to a 22 run win. He was also a member of the Bangladesh side that played...
and Rumy
Omar Khaled Rumy
Omar Mohammad Khaled was a Bangladeshi cricketer. A middle order batsman and a leg spin googley bowler, he played regularly for the national side between 1976-77 to 1983-84.-As a batsman:...
were coming towards the end of their careers. It was Azhar, who was left to carry the burden of spin bowling. He did his job manfully for the first half of the decade. That's why many analysts (like Rafiqul Ameer) consider him to be the best Bangladeshi spinner of the 80s. Both Wahidul Gani
Wahidul Gani
Wahidul Gani is a former Bangladeshi cricketer who played in one ODI in 1988 and coach who is mostly regarded for his coaching to the young and talented cricketers.-Playing career:Wahidul Gani was a right arm leg spin bowler and a lower order batsman...
& Ramchand Goala were more successful than Azhar in domestic cricket. But they failed to deliver the goods in the international arena.
External links
- http://www.banglacricket.com/html/article.php?item=400
- http://www.articlesbase.com/cricket-articles/the-spinners-2090427.html by Rafiqul Ameer