Abdul Hannan Sarkar, popularly known as Hannan Sarkar, is a former cricketer from Bangladesh who gained recognition for his technically sound batting skills during his brief international career. Born on February 12, 1981, in Barisal, Bangladesh, Hannan displayed immense talent from a young age and quickly rose through the ranks to represent his country on the international stage.
Hannan Sarkar’s most memorable performance came during a Test match against Australia in Australia, where he defied an impressive bowling attack, including legendary bowlers such as Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee, and Stuart MacGill. In this match, Hannan showcased his batting prowess by scoring half-centuries in both innings, lasting over five hours throughout the entire match. His composed knock of 76 in the first innings surprised many as it contradicted the prediction of former Australia batsman David Hookes, who believed Australia would wrap up the Test on the first day itself.
Throughout his international career, Hannan Sarkar played 17 Tests and scored five half-centuries. Three of these impressive innings were played against formidable opponents in Australia and South Africa, demonstrating his ability to perform under challenging conditions. However, his career failed to live up to the high expectations set for him due to his inflexible technique.
One notable challenge that Hannan faced was his difficulty in facing the first ball of a Test match. On three occasions, he fell prey to West Indies left-arm paceman Pedro Collins, losing his wicket without scoring a single run. This unfortunate record led Hannan to become only the second player, after Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, to suffer such a fate. His tendency to shoulder arms to the early deliveries often resulted in these dismissals, causing frustration among fans and selectors alike.
Despite these setbacks, Hannan Sarkar continued to play first-class cricket and represent his club in Dhaka. However, his longer-format performances were limited to only two centuries for Barisal, indicating a decline in his international form.
Hannan’s international career eventually came to an end after a disappointing Test match against New Zealand at home, where he could only manage scores of 0 and 1. The selectors, exasperated by his inconsistent performances, decided to move on from Hannan, cutting short a career that had promised so much potential.
Although Hannan Sarkar’s international career lasted for a mere 37 matches, there is no denying his talent and the impact he could have had on Bangladesh cricket. It is often lamented that his lack of flexibility in technique and hunger for success restricted his progress. However, he remains an important figure in Bangladesh cricket history, with his contributions to the game not easily forgotten.
Abdul Hannan Sarkar was a technically skilled opening batsman who showed great promise early in his international career. While he faced challenges due to his inflexible technique and inconsistent performance, his memorable innings against Australia and South Africa demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level. Though his international career was cut short, Hannan’s contribution to Bangladesh cricket will always be remembered.
