In 2008 during the Dhaka Test, an emotional moment has happened. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh played a classic Test match at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.
Legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was tweaking the ball which was unplayable. But, there was a Bangladesh batsman Mohammad Ashraful, who was equipped with technique, foil Murali’s venomous off spin.
The cricketer, who is currently serving the ban for being involved in match-fixing in BPL, yielded a solitary battle as he scored a brilliant hundred in the match. But Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 107 runs.
Sri Lanka piled up 520 runs lead. Bangladesh surprised everyone showed the guts of chasing the target. The world knows them as one of the most notoriousTest cricketing nations. They got their Test status in 2000, but their Test performnaces have been in shamble since then.
But, the in 2008 December, somehting epic had happened. Captain Mohammad Ashraful outspinned Murali and scored a brillaint 107.
Bangladesh hardly manage to play all five days of a Test match. But, in this Test Ashraful showed his charasters. In ODI cricket he already earned fame as he single handedly defeated big cricket playing nations like India, Australia, Sri Lanka. But, this time stood like rock in the middle of Sri Lanka’s victory and Bangladesh defeat. His innings helped Bangladesh to produce 413, which was 107 runs short of Sri Lanka’s lead 520.
Chaminda Vaas finally trapped him lbw and destroyed Bangladesh dream to beat a big Test team. Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim tried to give Bangladesh innings a late surge by playing a 96 and 61 run innings, but Dhammika Prasad and Muralitharan cut short their stubborn innings.
However, they could only delay Sri Lanka’s victory. Ashraful’s temperament, his sound technique and shot selection earned praise from the legend Murali.
At the presentation ceremony. Muralitharan was adjudged man of the match for his 12 wickets haul in the match. Murali received the award.
But, surprised everyone the legendary tweaker walked straight to bemused Mohammad Ashraful and handed him the Man of the Match award to him. Ashraful was speechless. Murali hugged him and said, You played brilliantly..Very few players in the world play me with the ease you have played.You are a great batsman and you are my man of the match and truly deserve this award.”
The whole stadium hailed Murali for his gesture and gave him a standing ovation. Ashraful was left in tears.
Unfortunately, Ashraful was found gulty in match fixing in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) that spoiled a iconic cricketer’s career.