Aftab Ahmed Chowdhury, commonly known as Aftab Ahmed, is a former professional cricketer from Bangladesh. Born on November 10, 1985, in Chittagong, Bangladesh, Aftab burst onto the international scene with his explosive batting and occasional medium-pace bowling.
Aftab first caught the attention of the Bangladeshi selectors in 2002 when he scored a brilliant 79 runs against South Africa in the Under-19 World Cup. This performance earned him a place in the national team, and a year later, he made his Test debut against England, despite not impressing in earlier warm-up matches. The local media was skeptical of his selection, considering him more suited for one-day cricket.
However, it didn’t take long for Aftab to silence his critics. During Bangladesh’s tour of England in 2005, he played a crucial role in their historic victory over Australia, smashing the winning runs with four and six off Jason Gillespie. He showed great potential with the bat, scoring a defiant and carefree 82 not out at Chester-le-Street, the highest score for Bangladesh in the Test series.
Aftab’s aggressive batting style, aiming to belt the covers off the ball, provided both excitement and frustration to fans and selectors alike. While he displayed immense potential, he struggled to maintain consistency, often falling victim to all-too-brief performances. In one-day cricket, however, he showed his prowess, particularly during an impressive one-day haul of 5 for 31 against New Zealand in November 2004.
Leading Bangladesh to a 3-2 series victory against Zimbabwe in January 2005, Aftab showcased his leadership skills. In the final match, he remained unbeaten on 81, guiding his team to a memorable win. Despite hitting a lean patch after his remarkable 82 at the Riverside, he managed to contribute with a few valuable fifties against Kenya and Zimbabwe. However, throughout his career, a century eluded him, with his highest score being 92 against Zimbabwe in February 2007.
Unfortunately, Aftab’s international career suffered a setback when he joined the rebel Indian Cricket League, leading to a ten-year ban. After just one season, he decided to leave the league and make himself available for selection once again. In January 2010, he made his comeback to international cricket during the home tri-series.
Aftab’s career statistics demonstrate his impact on the Bangladesh team. With a batting average approaching 30 in both Tests and ODIs, he contributed significantly to his team’s success. His dynamic style, explosive stroke play, and occasional medium-pace bowling made him a valuable asset to the team, especially in limited-overs cricket.
Although Aftab Ahmed’s career was marked by ups and downs, his undeniable talent and attacking approach left a lasting impression on Bangladesh cricket. While he may not have fulfilled his potential entirely, his contributions to the team and memorable performances remain etched in the nation’s cricketing history.
