Akram Khan (cricketer)

Infobox Cricketer


nationality = Bangladeshi
country = Bangladesh
country abbrev = Ban
name = Akram Khan
picture =
batting style = Right-hand bat
bowling style = Right-arm medium
balls = true
tests = 8
test runs = 259
test bat avg = 16.18
test 100s/50s = 0/0
test top score = 44
test overs = 0
test wickets = -
test bowl avg = -
test 5s = -
test 10s = -
test best bowling = -
test catches/stumpings = 3/-
ODIs = 44
ODI runs = 976
ODI bat avg = 23.23
ODI 100s/50s = 0/5
ODI top score = 65
ODI overs = 117
ODI wickets = -
ODI bowl avg = -
ODI 5s = -
ODI 10s = -
ODI best bowling = 0/6
ODI catches/stumpings = 8/-
date = 12 February
year = 2006
source = http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/56221.html

Mohammad Akram Hussain Khan (born November 1, 1968, Chittagong) is a former Bangladeshi cricketer who played in 8 Tests and 44 ODIs from 1988 to 2003. He captained Bangladesh in 15 of his ODIs. A hard hitting middle order batsman, Akram played first class cricket for Chittagong Division.

Akram Khan was part of Bangladesh's inaugural Test Match, in 2000-01 against India. He had been playing One Day International cricket since 1988. He developed as an international player under the able guidance of Gazi Ashraf Lipu. [ [http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2006/05/02/sports.htm] Rafiqul Ameer: "Looking back: Bangladesh cricket in the 80's" (Retrieved on 2008-07-28)]

He himself went onto captain the national side during the period 1994-98.

In Test Matches

He was already well into his 30's when he played in Bangladesh's inaugural match. He finished his short test career with a moderate average of 16.18. His highest, 44, came against Zimbabwe at Harare in 2001.

In ODIs

He made his ODI debut in Oct. 1988, in his hometown Chittagong. Batting at No. 8, he defied the strong Pak bolwing attack scoring 21* of 35 deliveries. He captained Bangladesh in the Asia Cup at Sharjah in 1995. He was the team's most consistent performer scoring 24, 24 & 44 against India, Sri-Lanka and Pakistan respectively. His first ODI 50 came against Pakistan at Colombo in 1997. There he shared a 110 run partnership with Athar Ali Khan. His highest ODI score of 65, came at Dhaka against Kenya in 1999. He followed this with 50* against Zimbabwe. He played in two WCs, in 1999 & in 2003. He played a large part in Bnagladesh's upset win in 1999 World Cup over Pakistan with an innings of 42. [ [http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/56221.html?class=2;template=results;type=allround;view=innings] Cricinfo Akram Khan One Day Internationals-All Round Analysis (Retrieved on 2008-07-27) ]

In ICC Trophy

His most memorable moment came in the 1997 ICC Trophy, as he lifted the cup for his side. He contributed a quickfire 22 of 27 balls, including a six and a four, in the final. Earlier, he had played a captain's knock in the do-or-die game against the Netherlands. His 68* helped Bangladesh win by 3 wicket. Bangladesh were struggling at 15/4, chasing a small total, after the Dutch fast bowler Lefebre demolished the top order. Then Akram Khan changed the course of the match with two half-century partnerships with the veteran Minhajul Abedin and the medium-pacer Saiful Islam. Overall, he finished the tournament with 185 runs at an average of 37.00. His effort against the Dutch is not his only match winning innings in International Cricket Council Trophy history. In 1994, batting at No. 7, he scored 64* against USA, taking his team from 36/5 to 147/7, winning the match by 3 wickets. And in 1990, he took Bangladesh to a vital 3 wicket win against Fiji with a knock of 42*. Overall, in 24 matches in 3 ICC Trophy tournaments, he scored 476 runs at an average of 36.61. Also,bowling his gentle medium pacers, he took 10 wickets with an impressive average of 18.7. [ [http://www.banglacricket.com/History/icc.php] Banglacricket ICC Trophy (Retrieved on 2008-07-27) ]

As a Captain

He took the captaincy of the national side at a difficult time during the 1994-95 season. Following the disappointment of the 1994 ICC Trophy in Kenya, there was dissatisfaction and disunity among the players. Akram, who was an established member of the side was selected to lead the side. This seemed slightly risky, as the Chittagong batsman had little previous experience as captain. But, he performed admirably, leading his side to some memorable successes.

In December, 1994, he led his side to the final of SAARC cricket tournament in Dhaka. he batted bravely in the final, top-scoring with 66,(before falling to leg spin of Sairaj Bahutule But, his side lost by 52 runs to India 'A', led by Praveen Amre. [ INDIAN CRICKET 1995 (Compiled by P.V. Vaidyanathan), (Kasturi & Sons Limited, Madras, India) ] In 1996, he led Bnagladesh to victory in the South East Asian Cricket. It was followed by an bigger truimph in ICC Trophy (1997) in KL. He also led Bnagladesh to their first ever ODI win. After Mohammad Rafique & Athar Ali Khanposted a century opening stand, Akram's quickfire 39 (from just 51 delieveries) took Bangladesh to 237/4, winnihg by 6 wickets against Kenya. [ [http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/match/66145.html] : Cricinfo scorecard: Bangladesh v Kenya 17 May, 1998 (Retrieved on 2008-07-27) ]

External links

* [http://www.banglacricket.com/html/article.php?item=459 Banglacricket article]