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Mohammad Ashraful. Photo by Paul.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Mohammad Ashraful

Mohammad Ashraful was born on 7th July 1984. He is a Bangladeshi cricketer who has represented his country in all formats of the game and is a former captain of all formats. He was chosen to represent the ACC Asia XI ODI side as a top-order batsman with a flair for flashy stroke-play. When Ashraful was less than 17 years old in 2001, his debut test against Sri Lanka, he became the youngest cricketer to score a century in test cricket.

Between 2007 and 2009, Ashraful captained Bangladesh in 13 Tests and 38 One Day Internationals (ODIs), winning eight of them. Ashraful has the fastest fifty in Test, ODI, and Twenty20 international cricket of any Bangladeshi player.

When not representing his country, Ashraful represents the Dhaka Division cricket team in Bangladesh’s domestic one-day and first-class competitions, captaining both sides on occasion. After being found guilty of match-fixing in 2014, the Bangladesh Cricket Board banned him for eight years. The sentence was later reduced to five years, with two years suspended. 

Ashraful has returned to domestic cricket after serving his suspension.

1. Ashraful became the world’s youngest Test centurion

Mohammad Ashraful. Photo by Nurunnaby Chowdhury.

Mohammad Ashraful’s eventful career began in 2001, when he smashed a century on Test debut in Colombo. Ashraful was only 17 years old when he accomplished this incredible feat.

With a century in his first Test, he broke the world record for the youngest Test centurion on debut, surpassing Zimbabwe’s Hamilton Masakadza.

When Bangladesh was still finding its feet in Test cricket, Ashraful smashed 114 runs off 212 balls. In that game, the world witnessed his natural batting ability. The right-hander scored his first Test century against bowlers like Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan, who are widely regarded as the best in their respective fields.

In his 61-match career, the right-handed batsman has six Test centuries. The majority of his centuries, five in total, have come against the island nation, demonstrating his affinity for the Lankan bowlers. His only other century came against India, and it was another crowning achievement in his career.

2. Ashraful’s 158* was the highest Test score by a Bangladeshi batsman

For the first time in their cricket history, Bangladesh hosted India for a home series in 2004. That Indian team was well-decorated, with players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and many others, and all of these stars were in top form.

In the end, Team India easily defeated Bangladesh in the series, but one Bangladeshi stood out: Mohammad Ashraful.

In Chittagong, the then-20-year-old batted unbeaten for 158 balls against Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, and Anil Kumble. Mohammad Ashraful’s mighty strong performance was a declaration to the world that ‘yes, we can compete in Test matches!’

Along with three sixes, the right-handed batsman hit 24 boundaries. His 158 remained Bangladesh’s highest Test innings until Mushfiqur Rahim scored 200 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2013.

3. Ashraful contributed to Bangladesh’s best victory to date

What is the biggest upset in one-day international history? Several games may come to mind, and it’s likely that you’re recalling Bangladesh’s unexpected win over the greatest Australian team in the Natwest Series in 2005 at Cardiff.

Bangladesh had only beaten a world champion once before, when they defeated Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup.

Mohammad Ashraful hit his first and second one-day century for Bangladesh, both at a strike rate of 100.0. The Tigers outplayed the Australians for the first time in their history thanks to that knock.

With that historic century, the right-handed batsman demonstrated how good he can be on his day. Bangladesh cricket’s fortunes were forever altered by that victory in Cardiff.

That victory catapulted them to prominence in the cricketing world, and it continues to inspire many Bangladeshi batsmen to perform at the highest level.

4. Ashraful smashed a quick 94 against England, just days after his match-winning ton

Mohammad Ashraful. Photo by Paul.

Ashraful’s career has been described as a documentary of consistency, but he was undeniably different during the Natwest Trophy 2005. After scoring a century off 100 balls in Bangladesh’s first-ever win over Australia, Ashraful demonstrated his batting prowess once more against England, smashing 94 off 52 balls.

During the early 2000s, Bangladeshi batsmen used to play ODI cricket with the mindset of surviving until the final over. Going for big shots against a team like Australia was seen as a risk. However, Ashraful demonstrated his ability to hit Steve Harmison for a one-drop boundary through the covers.

On the strength of Andrew Strauss’ 152 and Paul Collingwood’s unbeaten 112, England set a mammoth target of 392 runs in that match. Bangladesh eventually lost the match by 168 runs. But what Mohammad Ashraful did is still remembered by Bangladeshi fans.

5. He was instrumental in Bangladesh’s rare victory over the Proteas

Was Mohammad Ashraful a misunderstood batsman? This is a common question in the cricketing world. On numerous occasions, the right-handed middle-order batsman attempted to answer this question. One of those occasions was against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup, when he hit 87 off 83 balls, leading Bangladesh to a first-ever victory over South Africa.

During that famous inning, Ashraful hit a few beautiful cover drives that will live on in the minds of Bangladeshi fans.

Mohammad Ashraful’s 87 off 83 helped Bangladesh post 251 for the loss of 8 wickets in that match. Tamim Iqbal and Aftab Ahmed contributed 38 and 35 points, respectively.

The South Africans were bundled out for 184 while chasing the low total. Herschelle Gibbs hit an unbeaten fifty, but it wasn’t enough to keep the game alive. Abdur Razzak, the left-handed spin legend, took three wickets to help Bangladesh defeat South Africa for the first time.

6. He once slapped a fan 

Man’s sunglasses fly off face after getting slapped. Photo by helivideo.

Ashraful caused a stir in March 2008 when he slapped a fan who called him “rubbish” while training at a Dhaka indoor stadium. This occurred at a time when Ashraful was under fire in the media for his poor batting form and questionable fielding tactics as captain.

For violating the Code of Conduct, the BCB fined him 25% of his salary for the month of March 2008. Later, he apologized for the incident. 

7. His net worth is around $1 million

One Million Dollars Old Newsprint. Photo by filo.

Mohammad Ashraful net worth of $100,000 to $1 million. Mohammad Ashraful’s primary source of income is his success as a cricket player. He is originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh. 

8. Ashraful was banned from playing cricket

The inconsistencies were becoming too difficult to ignore. Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Tamim Iqbal were all emerging as key members of Bangladesh’s batting lineup. Ashraful was now displaying a graph with far too few peaks and far too many troughs. He was released for a while, but he was recalled in 2013. Sri Lanka proved to be a happy hunting ground once more, as he smashed 190 in Galle.

For the time being, Ashraful’s return promised light at the end of the tunnel. However, it turned out to be the ultimate false dawn. In 2013, some damaging revelations were made. Ashraful was charged with match-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League. The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit summoned Ashraful, who admitted guilt.

Ashraful was banned for five years before returning to First-Class cricket. The fan support he received demonstrated his popularity and contribution to Bangladesh cricket. However, whether one considers him to be a legend is debatable. Perhaps the best way to describe Ashraful’s career is as a flawed star.

9. He’s a married man 

Pair of gold wedding ring band. Photo by PaulVinten.

On December 11, 2015, Ashraful married Anika Taslima Orchi after a courtship. They were blessed with a baby girl the following year.

10. He has appeared in a few shows

The popular culture T-20, directed by Tariq Muhammad Khan, starred Ashraful alongside Sadia Jahan Prova and Arfan Ahmed. He also appeared in Tariq Muhammad Khan’s 2022 Eid TV Show Eid Tournament with Rashed Shimanto and Waliul Haque Rumi.