NEWS AND INSIGHTS

In conversation with the man behind Bangladesh emerging as one of the Test-playing nations, the architect of Bangladesh's first-ever ICC Trophy victory, the cricketer turned sports organizer, Syed Ashraful Huq.

Host Anis A. Khan in an in-depth conversation with cricketer turned sports organizer Syed Ashraful Huq in the sixteenth episode of OGROJ.

He became the joint secretary of the Asian Cricket Council in 1983, a year when Bangladesh cricket was yet to be known. By the next two decades, he served as the first CEO of the Asian Cricket Council. Besides, Syed Ashraful Huq also served as the general secretary of the BCB. A close associate of former ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya. Ashraful used to call him 'Jaguda'. It is through their joint efforts that Bangladesh cricket has built a strong position on the world stage.

Bangladesh's existence in world cricket probably got most highlighted in 1988 when the country hosted the Asia Cup. Ashraful, a high-up in the BCCB, was displaying his skill and efficient organizers around him meant achieving ambitions was easy. As time wore on, Ashraful developed himself as one of the finest organizers in Bangladesh cricket. His international connections instead made him a better organizer of global events, and this ability of his was key behind Bangladesh emerging as one of the Test-playing nations. A few months later, Bangladesh appeared in their first World Cup, and the 62-run win against Pakistan in the group stage showed a glimpse of what the country is capable of. In the year 2000, the country joined the main fleet of cricket playing nations and played its first Test against India in Dhaka.

Recalling the early days of the ACC, Syed Ashraful Huq said, "The primary purpose of our gathering was to get the World Cup out of England. At the same time, the Asian teams thought that since they were in a good position in popularity, they wanted to form a pressure group. That is why the Asian Cricket Conference was formed. So, we succeeded in that first purpose to bring the World Cup to India in 1986. Asian cricket teams emerged as a strong group in the world. The most important thing was that we were able to start the Asia Cup.

IPDC Managing Director and CEO, "Youth of our nation are fascinated with cricket any day; little do they know about personalities like Syed Ashraful Huq whose relentless efforts were to let Bangladesh emerge out as a competent team. We take pride to initiate such episodes, where unsung heroes of national cricket are brought in light and inspire the generations ahead."

"OGROJ" is a webinar series that airs live on the first and third Thursdays of each month from the IPDC's official Facebook page and YouTube Channel. A digital archive of all the episode and the platform is available at www.ogroj.com.bd.