Yousuf Rahman

Yousuf Rahman, (more commonly known as Yousuf Babu) was a Bangladeshi cricketer, who played regularly for the national side from 1976-77 until his retirement in 1983-84. He top scored with 78 against MCCat Dhaka in Jan,1977. He also holds the distinction of being the first Bangladeshi to score an interanational hundred, with 115 against PNG in 1982. In the early part of his career, he used to bat in the middle order, but from 1979-80 season onwards he was a regular opener. He was also a useful medium pacer. [ [http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2006/05/02/sports.htm] : Rafiqul Ameer."Looking Back: Bangladesh Cricket in the 80's". Retrieved on 2008-08-10.]

Hero of Dhaka

In 7-9 Jan, 1977, Bangladesh played against MCC at Dhaka. Afer winning the toss, the home side captain Shamim Kabir decided to bat first. Yet, mid way through the day, Bangladesh were struggling at 145/6. Only the skipper with 30, and ever reliable Khaled Rumy with 28 showed any resistance. Coming on to bat at no 8, Yousuf Babu changed the course of the innings. After sharing a partnership with Faruk(35), he got the tail to support him, and they took the score to 266/9 (Decl.) . His 78 was the highest score of the match for either side.

He was always successful in international matches at Dhaka. A year later, against a very strong Lankan bowling attack, he scored 37 & 41*. Most of the other batsman around him collapsed against the varied attack of the Lankans. In Feb 1978, he scored 30 against the visiting Decan Blues side. In 1980-81, he scored a half-century against MCC at Dhaka. Quite appropriately, he retired from International cricket at Dhaka after playing against the Hyderabad Blues side in 83-84 season. And he finished with a bang, scoring 35 and 44. [ Hasan Babli. "Antorjartik Crickete Bangladesh". Khelar Bhuban Prakashani, Novermeber, 1994. ]

In ICC Trophy

He had a disappointing ICC Trophy in 1979, scoring just 30 runs in 3 innings, and failing to take any wicket. He, however, topped the batting averages of his side in 1982, thanks mainly to his hundred against PNG. His hundred came before lunch,and along with Nazeem Siraji (52), he gave the innings a solid beginning. Unfortunately, there was a late order collapse and PNG won the match by 3 wickets. Overall, he finished with 214 rusn at an average of 35.66. In the low scoring game against East Africa, he became the unlikely hero with the ball taking 3/16. [ [http://www.banglacricket.com/History/icc.php Bangladesh in ICC Trophy ] (Retrieved on 2008-08-11) ]

As a bowler

Apart from his success against East Africa, there had been a number of other occasions when Yousuf Babu had contributed with the ball. Just days after hitting 78 against MCC, he showed the tourists that he could bowl as well as bat, taking 4/37 at Jessore, playing for the Southzone. He took 3/59 agasint Sri Lanka at Chittagong in 1978. His best effort in One day cricket came against Dilip Doshi's West Bengal side, at Dhaka (in 1983). His 3/18 helped the local side bowl the opposition out for only 175 runs. [ Hasan Babli. "Antorjartik Crickete Bangladesh". Khelar Bhuban Prakashani, Novermeber, 1994. ]

His younger brother Samiur Rahman was also a cricketer. He represented Bangladesh in two ODIs and two ICC Trophy tournaments.

References

External links

* [http://www.banglacricket.com/History/yousuf1.php] : It is about cricket and much more
* [http://www.banglacricket.com/History/yousuf2.php] : Tale of a True Bangladeshi