Khaled Mahmud

Mahmud will always be remembered as the man whose bowling average shot up to over 400 at one stage of his Test career. A man of limited talent, Mahmud rose to become Bangladesh’s skipper with his enthusiasm and liveliness.

It was not that Mahmud will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. He took 3/31 against Pakistan in Northampton during the 1999 WC match helping his side beat Pakistan and almost seal the elevation of Bangladesh to Test cricket.

Mahmud was known for his good oratory skills and succeeded Khaled Mashud as the captain of Bangladesh following a disastrous 2003 WC in South Africa. His tenure did not last too long though as Bangladesh continued to struggle at international level. He was dropped from the side after a poor series against England in 2003. Mahmud continued to be a part of the ODI set-up and recorded his best figures of 4/19 against Zimbabwe in a losing cause.

Mahmud played his last ODI match against Sri Lanka in Bogra in Feb, 2006 and top-scored with 36 in a losing effort. He now serves as the assistant coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team.

By Pradeep Krishnamurthy