Former Bangladesh coach Jalal Ahmed Chowdhury passes away

Jalal Ahmed Chowdhury, a renowned coach and sports writer in Bangladesh, breathed his last in Dhaka on Tuesday, September 21 at the age of 74. He passed away after fighting respiratory problems for a prolonged period of time.

The veteran was admitted to the hospital for the second time this month on September 15 and was put on a ventilator three days later. Chowdhury played a key role in preparing Bangladesh’s team for the 1979 ICC Trophy and was assisted by Osman Khan. Later, he worked with head coach Gordon Greenidge during the ICC trophy in 1997.

Jalal Ahmed Chowdhury a prominent name in Bangladesh cricket

Jalal was a more than handy cricketer during his playing days. He opened the batting for the teams he represented and could bowl useful off-breaks as well. Chowdhury plied his trade as wicketkeeper as well. In the Dhaka league, he played for Dhanmondi Club, Town Club, Udity Club and Young Pegasus.

Chowdhury also represented the Bangladesh Railways in the National Cricket Championship back in the 1970s. Chowdhury didn’t take up a government job due to his immense passion for the game of cricket. Back in the year 1978, Chowdhury bagged a diploma in sports from Patiala in India.

Thereafter, he returned Bangladesh to flourish in his coaching roles for various teams. After he passed away, the directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board observed a minute’s silence in his honour ahead of the board meeting on Tuesday, ESPNcricinfo reported.

Chowdhury also worked as a BCB board member in committees such as umpiring, operations, and development. Moreover, he got to work with players like Mahmudullah Riyad, Gazi Ashraf Hossain, and Tushar Imran, who all started their careers under Chowdhury’s tutelage.

Apart from his roles in cricket, Chowdhury also honed his skills as a sports journalist. He pursued a career in journalism since the 1980s. He had a regular column in Bengali daily Prothom Alo and worked in Bangladesh Times and New Nation.

In the last two weeks, Chowdhury became the second from the Bangladesh cricket fraternity after umpire Nadir Shah to pass away. Shah officiated in 40 ODIs, and six T20Is. Shah left mother earth after fighting with cancer for quite some time. He was put on life support, but his condition kept deteriorating.