BCSA UK host Mohammad Ashraful

Muhammad Hamza

THE BANGLADESH Cricket Supporters Association (BCSA) hosted an evening with former Bangladesh cricket captain Ashraful Islam before the star returned to Bangladesh after a short stay in the UK.

Ashraful was greeted by a sizeable number of BCSA members and cricket supporters and engaged in a Q&A with guests before a cake cutting ceremony and photo opportunity with fans and BCSA officials.

The event was hosted by BCSA UK Executive Committee member Jawar Ali and included his colleagues Shahidul Alam Ratan, Ayaz Karim, Ibrahim Miah and Emdad Rahman MBE.

Ashraful commented, “A new day presents new challenges for me. I need to be playing cricket regularly to build up my momentum and sharpness. It’s all about my focus and hard work. I have faith in my ability and the rest is down to pure graft and luck. Nothing comes free and it’s been a long road back. I am thankful for life, for breathing, for being healthy, for having so many good people in my life. I’m looking forward to the future.”

Speaking about the importance of inspiring youngsters, Ashraful added, “To be successful in this game you must live and breathe the game and strike a balance between everything else in your life. Practise daily, practise hard. If I needed inspiration in bowling I would observe Murali, I would watch Chaminda Vaas.

“To get ahead is easy, but to remain ahead requires an altogether different level of devotion. Listen to your coaches and always find time to do extra – it will be the difference.”

BCSA UK Vice President Ibrahim Miah concluded, “It’s been a pleasure hosting Ashraful in London. Not only is he still a hugely talented cricketer, but he is an outstanding human being and it has been our total pleasure having him as our guest in London these last few weeks. We wish him the very best. He is an asset to Bangladesh and we are very proud of him.”

•BCSA UK works in direct partnership with BCSA Bangladesh. It is a forum dedicated to uniting Bangladeshi cricket fans under one platform.

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