Ashraful enjoying cricket in England
Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful scored a hundred in England. Upon hearing the news, the first thing that instantly pops to the mind of any ardent Bangladesh cricket fan is the heroics of the right-hander in Cardiff, 17 years back.
"Are you asking about the Cardiff hundred?"
Bangladesh was on the top of the world on that day in 2005 and a little Ashraful was the darling of Cardiff, where his magnificent hundred pulled off the biggest upset in the annals of one-day cricket with a five-wicket victory against Australia at the Sophia Gardens.
After long years, Ashraful reached three figures in England while playing for Lullington Park Cricket Club in minor county cricket on Sunday.
When asked about his latest hundred, Ashraful was humorous enough to remind his Cardiff heroics. "Are you asking about the Cardiff hundred?" he jokingly told The Daily Star over the phone from England today.
Everybody loves to recall sweet memories and obviously Ashraful is no exception. The batter, however, is now thoroughly enjoying his time in England.
"The weather now is very pleasant and playing cricket in this season here is a really good experience," Ashraful continued to share his experiences.
"The pitches are very good as there is even bounce. You will play home and away basis matches which give you an experience to play in different grounds and conditions. The players who love to play side strokes, these kind of conditions are ideal for them.
"If I'm not wrong, apart from me at the moment, Enamul Haque Jr, Tanvir Haider are playing county cricket. Forhad Reza, Arafat Sunny, Jahurul Islam and a few others are waiting for a visa.
"It's a good opportunity for our cricketers. You have to do the deal through an agent and the county club will bear the flight and accommodation costs apart from weekly payment," the youngest Test centurion informed.