Introduction
Mohammad Ashraful, a cricketing legend, has left an indelible mark on the sport. From humble beginnings, Mohammad Ashraful rose through the ranks, showcasing unparalleled talent on the field. As a young prodigy, Mohammad Ashraful captured the hearts of fans worldwide with his exceptional skills. His name became synonymous with cricketing brilliance, inspiring a generation of aspiring players. He began his cricketing journey with the Bangladesh national team in the late 1990s. Throughout his career, he has been known for his aggressive batting style and exceptional fielding skills.
Mohammad Ashraful Biography
| Full Name | Mohammad Ashraful |
| Born | 7 July 1984 |
| Birthplace | Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Age | 39 |
| Shirt No. | 98 |
| Height | 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Role | Middle-Order Batsman |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm off-break Right-arm leg-break |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million |
| Wife | Anika Taslima Orchi |
| Relationship Status | Married |
Mohammad Ashraful Wife
The former Bangladeshi superstar, Mohammad Ashraful got married in 2015. His wife is Anika Taslima Orchi.
Mohammad Ashraful: A Cricketing Prodigy
Mohammad Ashraful, born on July 7, 1984, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, emerged as a cricketing sensation. As a top-order batsman, he captained both the Test and ODI teams for Bangladesh. Known for his flashy strokeplay, he debuted in Tests against Sri Lanka on September 6, 2001. Ashraful’s incredible achievement: youngest ever to score a Test century in international cricket, marking a milestone in his illustrious career. His innings at just 16 years old brought hope to Bangladesh, despite their defeat. Ashraful’s talent shone brightly on the cricket field, setting records and inspiring fans worldwide.
Mohammad Ashraful Career
Mohammad Ashraful, a Bangladeshi cricketer, has had a remarkable career spanning over two decades. Ashraful has been a key player for the Bangladesh national team. Ashraful led Bangladesh in 13 Tests and 38 ODIs from 2007 to 2009, guiding them to eight memorable ODI wins. Ashraful’s renowned for his batting prowess, holding the record for the fastest fifty in Test and ODI for Bangladesh.
Domestic And T20 Franchise Cricket Career
- Early Career: 2000-01 Season
Ashraful made his debut on November 22, 2000, playing for Dhaka Metropolis. He scored 41 and 6 and took five wickets for 59 runs in the first innings. Three days later, he made his List A debut, scoring 22 and taking two wickets.
- Domestic and T20 Franchise Cricket Career
Ashraful played for Sonargaon Cricketers in the Dhaka Premier League for the 2005-06 season. He later played for Rainhill CC in a local cricket league in England. In November 2006, he set a league record score of 263 against Chittagong Division.
- International Career
Ashraful made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe on April 11, 2001, scoring 9 runs. He took his first international wicket in the match, that of Andy Flower. He made his Test debut on September 6, 2001, against Sri Lanka, scoring 114.
- Post-Captaincy and Controversies
Ashraful was banned for eight years in 2014 after being found guilty of match-fixing. The ban was later reduced to five years with two years suspended. He returned to playing domestic cricket in 2016 and was eligible to play in international fixtures in 2018.
Bangladesh Premier League
Dhaka Gladiators
In 2012, the Bangladesh Cricket Board launched the Bangladesh Premier League, appointing Ashraful as Dhaka Gladiators’ ‘icon player’. Dhaka emerged victorious, with Ashraful contributing 258 runs in 12 matches. In 2013, Ashraful impressed with 358 runs in 14 matches, highlighted by a memorable century against the Khulna Royal Bengals.
International Career
- Debut
Ashraful debuted in ODIs versus Zimbabwe on April 11, 2001, scoring 9 runs and claiming his first international wicket, Andy Flower. On September 6, 2001, Ashraful debuted in Tests against Sri Lanka, scoring 114 runs and becoming the youngest centurion. This achievement broke Mushtaq Mohammad’s record and earned him the man of the match award. Following Aminul Islam Bulbul in 2000, Ashraful became the second Bangladeshi player to score a Test century on debut. Trevor Chappell, a former coach, commended Ashraful’s resolve and predicted a prosperous cricketing future for him. However, a string of poor performances led to his drop from the national team.
2003 – 2005. Patchy Form
In the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Ashraful struggled, scoring 71 runs with Bangladesh’s early exit. During a tour of Zimbabwe in 2004, despite Zimbabwe’s depleted squad, Bangladesh lost the Test series 1–0 and the ODI series 2–1. However, Ashraful’s brilliant performance in a solitary ODI earned Bangladesh their first international victory since 1999. Against India in 2004, he smashed his second Test century, claiming Bangladesh’s highest individual Test score. In 2005’s tour of England, Bangladesh secured a historic ODI win against Australia, with Ashraful’s century leading the charge. Despite mixed results, Ashraful’s standout performances garnered praise and made headlines.
2006 – 2007. Patchy Form Continues
In 2006, Ashraful notched his third Test century, scoring 136 runs against Sri Lanka. He represented the Asian squad in the Afro-Asia Cup alongside Mashrafe Mortaza. Despite his inclusion, Ashraful couldn’t make an impact in two matches. At Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Ashraful’s remarkable century earned him the Man of the Match accolade in the inaugural international game. Despite the series loss to Sri Lanka, Ashraful’s pivotal role in the 2007 Cricket World Cup led Bangladesh to the second stage. His impressive performance, including 87 runs against South Africa, earned him the man of the match award. Ashraful emerged as Bangladesh’s highest run-scorer in the tournament.
Captaincy (2007–2009)
Following Bangladesh’s defeat to India, Habibul Bashar resigned as captain, and Ashraful assumed the role. At 22, he became one of the youngest international captains, albeit amidst a series of losses. Despite the coaching transition and challenges, Ashraful showed promise, leading Bangladesh in both Tests and ODIs.
Under Ashraful’s leadership, Bangladesh faced tough tests against Sri Lanka and South Africa. Despite losses, Ashraful’s performances stood out, including a notable partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim. After stepping down as captain in 2009, Ashraful remained influential, guiding Bangladesh to their inaugural Asian Games gold medal in 2010.
Post-captaincy (2009–present)
Ashraful faced a rollercoaster ride in international cricket, experiencing both recalls and drops from the squad. Despite challenges, he earned recognition with a top-tier contract.
Following his recall post-Asia Games, Ashraful’s performance fluctuated, leading to subsequent drops from the squad. Despite intermittent success, he faced challenges in maintaining consistency, impacting his selection for major tournaments.
In And Out of Team
After leading Bangladesh A in South Africa, Ashraful’s stellar performance earned him a recall to the senior squad. Despite Bangladesh’s defeat against Zimbabwe, Ashraful stood out, scoring the most runs in the Test. However, Bangladesh faltered in the subsequent ODI series, with Ashraful contributing 23 runs. Although retained for the Pakistan series in 2012, Ashraful faced a drop after a disappointing performance in the first Test. His central contract wasn’t renewed in 2012, marking a shift in his career trajectory. In October 2018, he was selected for the Chittagong Vikings team in the Bangladesh Premier League.
Controversies
When a fan labeled Ashraful “rubbish” in March 2008, the athlete responded by slapping the spectator while he was exercising in a Dhaka indoor stadium. This happened during a period when Ashraful was under harsh criticism from the media for his subpar play and dubious captaincy. For breaking the Code of Conduct in the month of March 2008, the BCB fined him 25% of his pay. Later on, he expressed regret over the event.
Spot-Fixing Controversy
In 2013, Ashraful’s admission of spot-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League led to a temporary suspension by the cricket board. Allegations centered around matches involving Dhaka Gladiators, with Ashraful reportedly paid to influence outcomes. Following investigations, he was banned for eight years, later reduced to five. In 2016, Ashraful’s ban eased, permitting domestic cricket, and by 2018, he regained eligibility for international fixtures. By 2022, Ashraful was seen playing for Lullington Park Cricket Club in the Derbyshire County Cricket League.
Mohammad Ashraful Stats
Batting Career Summary
| M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s | |
| Test | 61 | 119 | 5 | 2737 | 190 | 24.01 | 5940 | 46.08 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 335 | 22 |
| ODI | 177 | 169 | 13 | 3468 | 109 | 22.23 | 4947 | 70.1 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 355 | 28 |
| T20I | 23 | 23 | 0 | 450 | 65 | 19.57 | 359 | 125.35 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 47 | 11 |
| IPL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2.0 | 10 | 20.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(www.cricbuzz.com)
Bowling Career Summary
| M | Inn | B | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | Avg | SR | 5W | 10W | |
| Test | 61 | 67 | 1733 | 1271 | 21 | 2/42 | 3/75 | 4.4 | 60.52 | 82.52 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 177 | 40 | 697 | 661 | 18 | 3/26 | 3/26 | 5.69 | 36.72 | 38.72 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 23 | 8 | 138 | 210 | 8 | 3/42 | 3/42 | 9.13 | 26.25 | 17.25 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Mohammad Ashraful 2024: Net Worth
As of 2024, Mohammad Ashraful’s estimated net worth is BDT 15 crores ($1.5 million). The Bangladeshi right-handed batsman’s prime source of earnings is his cricket career.
Salary and Career Earnings
An estimated BDT 85,000 is Mohammad Ashraful’s monthly wage as a first-class cricket player. Ashraful receives a sizable income from sponsorship agreements and brand advertising in addition to his cricket contract.
Franchise League Fee
Mohammad Ashraful, a Bangladeshi cricketer, participates in T20 leagues worldwide. He earned INR 3,684,000 with Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Additionally, he played in the BPL, earning an average annual salary of BDT 18 lacs with Chittagong Vikings in 2019.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mohammad Ashraful’s cricket journey is a tale of highs and lows. From his remarkable debut century to the unfortunate spot-fixing scandal, Ashraful’s career has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. Despite setbacks, he showcased immense talent and resilience, earning recognition as one of Bangladesh’s cricketing icons. With his ban partially lifted, Ashraful continues to contribute to the sport, leaving a lasting impact on cricket enthusiasts worldwide. While his net worth may fluctuate, his legacy in the cricketing world remains invaluable.
Meta Description
Explore Mohammad Ashraful’s captivating cricket journey, from debut century to overcoming challenges, in this insightful biography.
FAQs
- What was Mohammad Ashraful’s debut in international cricket?
Mohammad Ashraful made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe on April 11, 2001, scoring only 9 runs and taking his first international wicket, Andy Flower. He made his Test debut on September 6, 2001, against Sri Lanka, scoring 114 and becoming the youngest player to score a Test century, breaking Mushtaq Mohammad’s record.
- What was Ashraful’s performance as captain of the Bangladesh national team?
Ashraful captained Bangladesh in 13 Tests and 38 ODIs from 2007 to 2009. Although he led the team to eight ODI victories, he lost 12 Tests and one ended in a draw. His captaincy tenure was marked by a string of poor performances, leading to his eventual drop from the national team.
- What was Ashraful’s domestic and T20 franchise cricket career like?
Ashraful played domestic cricket for the Dhaka Division cricket team in Bangladesh’s domestic one-day and first-class competitions, captaining both sides on occasion. He also played for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League and the Dhaka Gladiators in the Bangladesh Premier League. After a ban for match-fixing, he returned to playing domestic cricket in 2016.
