Abdul Latif (cricketer)

Mohammad Abdul Latif (born 10 November 1939, Kamptee, Maharashtra, India), also known as Mohammad Abdul Latif Khan and M.A. Latif, is a former first-class cricketer for East Pakistan, a retired senior officer in the Bangladesh armed services, and a cricket administrator.

Abdul Latif
Personal information
Full name
Mohammad Abdul Latif
Born (1939-11-10) 10 November 1939 (age 84)
Kamptee, Maharashtra, India
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm leg-spin
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1956–57 to 1970–71East Pakistan
1964–65 to 1965–66Dacca
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 36
Runs scored 1596
Batting average 28.00
100s/50s 3/6
Top score 155*
Balls bowled 1947
Wickets 45
Bowling average 22.84
5 wickets in innings 4
10 wickets in match 2
Best bowling 7/19
Catches/stumpings 26/–
Source: Cricket Archive, 6 April 2014

Playing career edit

A middle-order batsman and leg-spinner, Abdul Latif made his first-class debut for East Pakistan Greens in 1956–57. In his first five matches spread over four seasons he made only 66 runs[1] and took two wickets.[2]

In 1961–62 he captained East Pakistan in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Against Hyderabad he scored 109 and 49 and took 3 for 49 and 3 for 112 to play the leading part in East Pakistan's first victory in first-class cricket.[3] Later that season he played for a Combined XI against the touring MCC in Bahawalpur, and was the only local player selected for a match in Dacca between the East Pakistan Governor's XI and the touring International XI. However, he achieved little in either match.

Abdul Latif top-scored with 81 for a President's XI against the Commonwealth XI in 1963–64.[4] Captaining Dacca in the Ayub Trophy in 1964–65 he scored 155 not out in a victory over Rajshahi.[5]

When Ceylon toured Pakistan in 1966–67, Abdul Latif played for a President's XI against the tourists, making 42 not out in the second innings to enable his team to avoid defeat.[6] He played for Pakistan in Dacca in the second of the three representative matches against Ceylon, scoring 21 and not bowling. Again he was the only East Pakistan player in the side.[7] For a President's XI against the MCC Under-25 side in Rawalpindi later that season he scored 74 out of the first innings total of 157,[8] playing "some exciting strokes".[9]

From then on, Abdul Latif played only domestic cricket, despite a remarkable performance with the ball in two matches in January 1968. Captaining East Pakistan Greens against Dacca University in the Ayub Trophy, he took 7 for 19 and 5 for 40 in an innings victory,[10] then a few days later against East Pakistan Railways he took 7 for 19 and 5 for 19 (as well as scoring 50) in another innings victory.[11] His 24 wickets for 97 included 18 victims bowled. In the semi-final of the Ayub Trophy that followed immediately, however, he took only 1 for 75 in an innings loss.[12]

He scored 143 and 42 and took two wickets when East Pakistan defeated Hyderabad Whites in 1969–70.[13] After two matches in 1970–71 he played no further first-class cricket.

Later career edit

Abdul Latif did his military training at the Pakistan Military Academy,[14] and served in the Bangladesh military after Bangladesh achieved independence in 1971, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

He managed the Bangladesh cricket team's tours to Australia[15] and Pakistan[16] in 2003, and to England[17] and Sri Lanka[18] in 2005. He was chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board's development committee from 2007[19] to 2008,[20] and also served as vice-president of the Board.[21]

In the 2010s, he served as the sports secretary for the Bangladesh National Party.[22] He has also been an international boxing referee.[23]

References edit

  1. ^ Abdul Latif batting by season
  2. ^ Abdul Latif bowling by season
  3. ^ Hyderabad v East Pakistan
  4. ^ President's XI v Commonwealth XI 1963–64
  5. ^ Dacca v Rajshahi 1964–65
  6. ^ President's XI v Ceylon 1966–67
  7. ^ Pakistan v Ceylon, Dacca 1966–67
  8. ^ President's XI v MCC Under-25 1966–67
  9. ^ Wisden 1968, p. 895.
  10. ^ East Pakistan Greens v Dacca University 1967–68
  11. ^ East Pakistan Greens v East Pakistan Railways 1967–68
  12. ^ Karachi Blues v East Pakistan Greens 1967–68
  13. ^ Hyderabad Whites v East Pakistan 1969–70
  14. ^ Bangladesh cricket manager's Urdu interview shocks tour party Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  15. ^ Wisden 2004, p. 1217.
  16. ^ Wisden 2004, p. 1225.
  17. ^ Wisden 2006, p. 515.
  18. ^ Wisden 2006, p. 1144.
  19. ^ Schools cricket from Feb 9 Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  20. ^ Bangladesh aim for place in second round Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  21. ^ Military must not dominate civil administration Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  22. ^ "BNP gives cricket no guarantee". New Age. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  23. ^ Sygal, David (29 June 2013). "Minnows from Asia ready to Rokon roll". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 6 April 2014.

External links edit