Full Name: Mohammad Rafique
Born: 5 September 1970, Dhaka
Major Teams: Sylhet Division, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Test Debut: Bangladesh Vs India at Dhaka, Only Test, 2000/01
ODI Debut: Bangladesh Vs India at Sharjah, Asia Cup, 1994/95

Mohammad Rafique - The Left Arm Genius

- Aranya Syed

Mohammad Rafique, who hails from Narayanganj in the capital city of Dhaka, started his Cricketing career in the early 90's and made his ODI Debut against India in the Asia cup staged in 1994. Rafique started his career as a bowling all-rounder and then developed into a front-line spinner in the Bangladesh line-up. Arguably  one of the best left-arm spinners in modern-day cricket, he has developed into one of one of the most consistent performers in the Bangladesh team, since the "Tigers" attained Test Status in 2000.

Rafique has single-handedly changed the course of the game and brought it in his team's favour out of nowhere, on more than one occasion. Rafique, who was regarded as a one-day specialist, is now considered to be Bangladesh's greatest asset in the longer-version of the game after his repeated successes against India (In the inaugural Test in 2000), SouthAfrica, Pakistan, England & Zimbabwe. He has played big roles in all of the victories of Bangladesh, till date. His biggest contribution, was in fact, ironically with the bat when he won Bangladesh their first ever game in limited overs international, when he opened the batting and smacked a scintillating 77, against Kenya in Hyderabad, India (in 1998). As a result of this performance, he won the Man-of-the-Match in that Match. Rafique also starred in victories against Scotland, Pakistan & Zimbabwe.

Rafique is also the highest-wicket taker in the Tests for Bangladesh (although he was not considered in the longer-version of the game for 2 years, after his debut against India), taking 42 wickets in only 10 matches, at an average of under-30 (29.35 to be precise). He was also the highest wicket-taker in the away series against Pakistan (from both sides), with an impressive 17 wickets in 3 matches, which includes a 10-wicket haul in Multan, Pakistan in 2003. Rafique had also made headlines for the wrong reasons off late, when he was suspended for one match by BCB (Bangladesh Cricket Board) officials in the recently concluded series in Zimbabwe, as he "misbehaved" with his skipper Habibul Bashar and fellow left-arm spinner Manjarul Rana. Rafique, who has been awarded with the "Best Sportsperson" of Bangladesh in the year 2003-2004, has planned to retire after the 2007 Cricket World Cup in West Indies. He is one of the major reasons behind the emergence of so many young left-arm spinners in Bangladesh (such as Manjarul Rana, Enamul Junior & Abdur Razzaq), but there is no doubt that it would be one BIG shoe to fill when he does retire. Bangladeshi fans would hope, its not too soon.

Statistics of Mohammad Rafique's Career :