Scintilla CC star makes history

Emdad Rahman reports that Enamul Haque Jnr
has reached a milestone 400 wickets.

Bangladeshi spinner Enamul Haque Jnr – who starred for Barking-based Scintilla Cricket Club en route to lifting the Essex County Cricket League Premier Division –has created history by becoming the first ever Bangladeshi to pick up 400 wickets in first class cricket. The orthodox left arm spinner dismissed Farhad Reza of Rajshahi Division who steered an easy catch to Alok Kapali at slip. Haque achieved the historic milestone on the second day of Sylhet Division’s National Cricket League match at the BKSP-2.

Haque was ecstatic. After celebrating a great achievement with his team and family he spoke about his pride: “It only seems like yesterday since I dismissed Asadullah Khan in 2002. It’s amazing how a career flies by. I have been very fortunate with the people I have had around me. Records are there to be broken but I will savour this, especially as we are playing less cricket nowadays.”

Haque was the first national bowler to achieve 300 first class wickets in the winter of 2011. He retains pole position with second placed Abdur Razzak 75 wickets behind him. Mohammad Sharif is the only other Bangladeshi bowler to have reached 300-plus wickets in first class cricket.

Haque added: “I’d be lying if I said that the 400 wicket milestone was not weighing on my mind. In fact I had been preparing for this moment since the beginning of the NCL, especially as I was 11 wickets short. I took a single wicket in the first game but followed up with five in the second.”

Farhad Hossain’s scalp left Haque hanging on 399 before his big moment against Rajshahi Division. He said: “Alok Kapali took a catch at slip and I had completed my 400th wicket. It’s a great feeling.”

Haque kept fit during the off season by playing in England last summer and helped steer Scintilla CC to the Essex County Cricket League Premier Division. Scintilla club captain Ahmed Choudhury said: “Enam is a consummate professional. His dedication and drive was outstanding and our senior and youth teams learnt so much from him. It’s no surprise that he continues to excel at the top.”

He is hopeful about his future: “I would love to play in the national team again. It’s every cricketers dream and I will work hard to maintain my form. Over a decade ago I was given a chance to play by Sylhet. It’s where I was born. There’s promise in the ranks and I would love to win a championship with this team. That would really be a memorable way to see out my career.”