Khondaker Mosharraf Hossain, commonly known as Mosharraf Hossain, is a renowned cricket player from Bangladesh. With numerous match-winning performances in domestic cricket, he has established himself as a prominent figure in Bangladesh cricket history. Born on December 2, 1981, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Mosharraf has had a career filled with ups and downs, marked by a series of significant incidents.
Mosharraf made his first-class debut in the 2001-02 season, showcasing his skills as a valuable left-arm spinner and a useful late-order batsman. His talent quickly caught the attention of major clubs in the Dhaka Premier League, where he excelled for more than a decade. With over 300 first-class wickets to his name, Mosharraf’s consistent performances made him a force to be reckoned with in domestic cricket.
In 2008, Mosharraf received his maiden call-up for the Bangladesh national team after the retirement of the legendary spinner Mohammad Rafique. However, his international career was short-lived, as he was dropped from the team after just three home ODIs against South Africa. Disappointed with his exclusion, Mosharraf made a controversial decision a few months later.
Mosharraf joined a group of Bangladeshi cricketers who defected to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) and played for the Dhaka Warriors. In addition, he sent a retirement letter to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which resulted in the banning of ICL-bound cricketers for a period of ten years. However, Mosharraf and others eventually decided to quit the ICL and received clemency from the BCB in 2009, allowing him to return to first-class cricket in January 2010.
Three years later, Mosharraf made headlines when he played a pivotal role for the Dhaka Gladiators in the final of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2013. His exceptional performance earned him the title of Man of the Match, which further solidified his reputation as a match-winner. Subsequently, he was selected for the Bangladesh ODI squad for the series in Sri Lanka later that year. However, his comeback was short-lived.
Mosharraf faced another major setback when he, along with other Gladiators players and officials, was investigated for alleged corruption during the 2013 BPL. Fortunately, he was swiftly cleared of any wrongdoing, which allowed him to continue his journey in cricket. Despite facing temporary suspensions, Mosharraf remained resilient and carried on performing admirably in domestic cricket.
In September 2016, Mosharraf received another call-up to the Bangladesh ODI squad, this time against Afghanistan. It marked his return to international cricket after a long and arduous journey filled with obstacles. Although his international career has not reached the heights he may have envisioned, Mosharraf’s contributions to the sport in Bangladesh are undeniable.
With a career spanning over a decade, Khondaker Mosharraf Hossain has proven his worth as an exceptional cricketer. While his journey has been marred by controversial incidents and temporary setbacks, Mosharraf’s determination and perseverance have allowed him to bounce back and continue shining on the domestic cricket stage.
