Mohammad Ashraful scores first ton in 4 years

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful went on to score a stupendous hundred on the opening day of the National Cricket League 2017 against the Chittagong Division at the Zahur Ali Chowdhry Stadium in Chittagong. Earlier in the day, it was Dhaka Metropolis who won the toss and elected to bat first. They didn’t have the best of starts and were reduced to 74/4 at one stage. That’s when Ashraful scored a blistering knock of 104 runs with 12 boundaries and 2 sixes.

He alongside Mehrab Hossain put up a staggering partnership of 174 runs for the fifth wicket before Ashraful was dismissed 6 overs ahead of end of the day. The Dhaka Metropolis were 257/5 at stumps on Day 1 of the tier 2 Test match. The cricketer who lost 3 years of his international career owing to his involvement in corrupt activities had failed to get going in the last season where he was making a comeback. He thus failed to make any kind of a statement in the domestic circuit.

Uncertain future

However, today was the day Ashraful finally stepped up to his potential and delivered. This was his first ever century in 4 years in any format of the game. He has made more than 50 Test and 150 One-Day Internationals appearances for the Bangladesh.

In the mean time, the national team has seen a huge shift from where it was some years ago, and it is next to impossible for Ashraful to earn his place back in the squad. While he may regret having ever indulged in spot-fixing which put a black mark on his otherwise rememberable career.

While it may seem too far for Ashraful as of now, consistent performances like these may get him better opportunities in the future. Only time will say, what is in store for one of the most prominent batters Bangladesh has produced.