Mohammad Rafique

Mohammed Rafique is a former cricketer and current cricket coach from Bangladesh. He holds the distinction of being the first Bangladeshi bowler to secure 100 wickets in both Test matches and ODI matches.

Career

Rafique began his professional journey as a left arm seamer for the Bangladesh Sporting 2nd Division side in 1985. He joined the Bangladesh Biman cricket team in 1988, where he underwent a significant technical transition. Under the influence of Pakistani allrounder Wasim Haider, he converted from a seamer to a slow orthodox spin bowler.

His domestic success continued as he played first-class cricket for Dhaka Division. In December 1994, he represented Bangladesh in the 2nd SAARC cricket tournament and recorded figures of 3/25 against India A. He was also a member of the squad that won the 1997 ICC Trophy. During that tournament, he took 19 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 10.68 runs per over. His best performance of 4/25 occurred during the semi-final against Scotland. Alongside his spinning partner Enamul Haque Moni, he claimed 12 wickets throughout the competition. He also contributed 26 runs from 15 deliveries in the final against Kenya.

Rafique became a permanent fixture in the national team and achieved the rare double of scoring 1,000 runs and taking 100 wickets in both formats. Although he was initially recognized for his ODI abilities, he played in Bangladesh's inaugural Test against India where he took three wickets. His progress faced a setback when he was reported to the ICC for a suspect action. He remained out of the national side until 2002, but his return against South Africa was successful. He secured a six-wicket haul during the second Test of that series.

He served as the highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in the home Test series against India and ranked second highest during the tour of Zimbabwe. As a lower-order batsman, he proved highly effective by scoring 77 runs against Kenya in May 1998. That performance helped secure Bangladesh's first ODI victory against Kenya, where he also earned man of the match honors for his 3/56. He later scored a Test century against the West Indies and hit six sixes during a 65-run innings against Australia in 2005–6.

In 2007, he had a successful World Cup campaign by taking eight wickets to help defeat India and South Africa. Rafique announced his international retirement on 7 February 2008 following a home series against South Africa. He became the first Bangladeshi player to reach the milestone of 100 Test wickets on 1 March. He was the first player from Bangladesh to join the group of 53 players globally who have scored 1,000 runs and taken 100 wickets in Test cricket.

His career faced a major disruption in August 2008 when he joined the Indian Cricket League. The Bangladesh Cricket Board banned him and 13 other professional players from all forms of cricket for ten years. He renounced his ties to the ICL one year later and was subsequently accepted back into the fold. Later, he delivered a match-winning performance for Abahani Limited in the Big Boss T20 Premier League final.

Rafique participated in the 2005 Super Series for the World XI against Australia and played for the Asia XI in 2007. He captained the Bangladesh Legends in the 2020-21 Road Safety World Series. On 20 January 2022, he joined the Asia Lions in the Legends League Cricket and took 2 wickets against the India Maharajas.

Personal life

Mohammed Rafique was born on 5 September 1970 in Dhaka. He remains a household name within his home country due to his long service to the national team.