Khandker Nazrul Quader


Nazrul Quader, also known as Lintu, was a left arm spin bowler from Bangladesh. He was a member of the Bangladesh cricket team that played against the MCC in the historical match at Dhaka in 1976–77.

Bowling action

Though he was a spin bowler, he had the fast run up of a left arm seamer. Unlike most other left arm spinners, he mostly bowled over the wicket. He was quicker than most spinners, and he surprised many batsman with his pace. He also had a good "Chinaman".

International career

He had a brief, but highly successful international career. In the historical match at Dhaka, he bowled successfully for the local side taking 4/54. In February 1978, he bowled well against the touring Decan Blues side of India. After the match the Indian captain, Ajit Wadekar described him as the best Bangladeshi bowler.

The spinning trio

At a time when the famed spinning quartet of India, were coming to the ends of their careers, the spinning trio of Bangladesh were just beginning to make their mark on international cricket. Helping Nazrul Kader, was Omar Khaled Rumy, and Syed Ashraful Haq. Especially during the 78–79 season the trio was in full flow. The slow turning pitches were suitable to them. At Jessore Rumy and Lintu bowled the MCC out for only 166. At Dhaka, Lintu with 3/79, Rumy with 3/63 and Ashraful with 2/1 bowled the opposition for a mere 210. The trio were lucky to have Shafiq-ul-Haq Hira behind the stumps, as Hira was an expert in keeping to the slow bowlers. Keeping to Lintu was a special challenge, because of his extra pace, but Hira was up to the task.

An abrupt end

Exclusion from the tour party to England ended Lintu's brief international career. Soon, he went abroad for further studies, and instead of concentrating on cricket he pursued his career as an engineer. With Bangladesh cricket very much at the amateur stages, a number of other cricketers gave their professional career greater importance than cricket. Things only changed in later part of the 80s.