Mohammad Ashraful was once hailed as Bangladesh’s “boy wonder,” becoming the youngest player to score a Test century at just 17. His elegant stroke play and fearless batting made him a national hero in the early 2000s. However, his career was marred by inconsistency and later by a ban due to match‑fixing, leaving his legacy both inspiring and controversial.
Personal Profile
- Full Name: Mohammad Ashraful
- Born: 7 July 1984, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Age: 41 years (as of 2026)
- Height: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
- Batting Style: Right‑handed
- Bowling Style: Right‑arm off break/leg break
- Role: Middle‑order batter
- Domestic/Franchise Teams: Dhaka Division, Dhaka Gladiators, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Mumbai Indians (IPL), Ruhuna Royals (SLPL), Chittagong Vikings, Minister Rajshahi, Asia XI
Mohammad Ashraful Statistics
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s/50s | Highest Score | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 61 | 2,737 | 24.0 | 6/8 | 190 | 21 |
| ODIs | 177 | 3,468 | 22.2 | 3/20 | 109 | 18 |
| T20Is | 23 | 450 | 19.6 | 0/2 | 65 | 8 |
| First‑Class | 183 | 9,192 | 28.6 | 19/47 | 190 | 21 |
Career Highlights
- Youngest Test Centurion: Scored 114 vs Sri Lanka in 2001 at age 17.
- Memorable Innings: 190 vs Sri Lanka in 2007, one of Bangladesh’s finest Test knocks.
- Captaincy: Briefly captained Bangladesh in 2008–09.
- Controversy: Admitted involvement in match‑fixing during the Bangladesh Premier League (2013), resulting in a ban.
Style of Play
- Batting: Elegant stroke player, strong on drives and cuts, but prone to inconsistency.
- Bowling: Occasional leg‑spin and off‑spin.
- Temperament: Flamboyant, often played audacious shots under pressure.
Legacy
Mohammad Ashraful’s career is a mix of brilliance and disappointment. He gave Bangladesh cricket its first taste of global recognition with his youthful heroics, but his later controversies overshadowed his achievements. Despite this, he remains a symbol of Bangladesh’s early cricketing journey and a reminder of both the promise and pitfalls of sporting fame.
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