Abdur Razzak (cricketer)

Khan Abdur Razzak
Born	(1982-06-15) June 15, 1982 Khulna, Bangladesh
Occupation	Cricketer (retired)
Years active	2001–2021
Known for	First Bangladeshi bowler to claim 200 ODI wickets; first left-arm spinner to take a hat-trick for Bangladesh

Khan Abdur Razzak (; born 15 June 1982) is a retired Bangladeshi cricketer who represented his country in all formats of the game. He holds the distinction of being the first Bangladeshi bowler to claim 200 wickets in ODI cricket and was also the inaugural left-arm spinner, and second overall after Saqlain Mushtaq, to secure a hat-trick.

Razzak began his first-class career with Khulna Division during the 2001/02 season, quickly making a name for himself as a tall left-arm orthodox spinner. He played a crucial role in Khulna's triumph in the National Cricket League that season and earned a place in the Bangladesh A team, where he impressed notably with figures such as 7 wickets for 17 runs against Zimbabwe A.

Although his Test career comprised just nine matches, Razzak was particularly effective in ODIs, becoming Bangladesh’s top wicket-taker by 2013 and crossing the milestone of 200 ODI wickets that year.

In January 2018, he became the first bowler from Bangladesh to reach 500 wickets in first-class cricket. After a four-year hiatus from Test cricket, he made a comeback against Sri Lanka in February 2018, taking 4 wickets for 63 runs. By November 2019, Razzak had achieved another landmark by taking 600 first-class wickets, setting a new national record.

He officially retired from all forms of cricket in February 2021.

Indian Premier League

Abdur Razzak was the pioneer Bangladeshi player to feature in the 2008 Indian Premier League, having been acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore for $50,000. Despite appearing in just one match, he valued the opportunity highly, acknowledging mentorship from Anil Kumble on employing bowling variations to secure breakthroughs and appreciating support from coach Venkatesh Prasad.

Bangladesh domestic career

Razzak recorded his career-best first-class bowling figures of 8/123 and amassed match figures of 15/193 against Barisal Division, setting a new benchmark in the National Cricket League that surpassed Elias Sunny’s previous record.

In April 2018, he topped the wicket-taking charts in the 2017–18 Bangladesh Cricket League with an impressive haul of 43 wickets over six matches, establishing a tournament record. He continued his dominance by leading wicket-takers again in the 2018–19 Bangladesh Cricket League with 34 dismissals. Representing Prime Bank Cricket Club during the 2018–19 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, he claimed the most wickets for his team with 19 scalps across 16 games. Furthermore, he was the highest wicket-taker in the 2019–20 National Cricket League, securing 31 wickets in five matches.

Early years

Abdur Razzak made his international debut for the Bangladesh national team during the 2004 Asia Cup One Day International tournament, playing his first match against Hong Kong in July. While he became a consistent member of the squad, he was not always part of the playing eleven. His Test debut came during the Australian tour of Bangladesh in April 2006.

Following notable performances in limited-overs cricket, Razzak earned his first Test cap at home against Australia at Chittagong Divisional Stadium. Bangladesh batted first; Razzak contributed 15 runs but was unable to claim any wickets and was dismissed for a golden duck as Bangladesh suffered an innings defeat. His subsequent Test appearance occurred a year later versus Sri Lanka, where he took his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Chamara Silva. He also claimed the wicket of Graeme Smith against South Africa and twice scored his highest Test score of 33 runs, including an unbeaten innings. Against New Zealand, he achieved his best bowling figures in Tests with 3 for 93. These performances prompted scrutiny regarding his bowling action.

Suspension

After the New Zealand tour in October 2008, umpires Daryl Harper and Asoka de Silva flagged Razzak for having a "suspect bowling action," marking the second occasion in his career that he was reported. According to ICC rules, a bowling action is illegal if the bowler’s arm bends beyond 15 degrees during delivery. Initially, concerns were raised only about his faster ball, but subsequent analysis showed arm flexion ranging from 22 to 28 degrees, averaging 25 degrees overall and 24 degrees specifically on his quicker delivery. As a result, Razzak faced suspension from international matches but was allowed to bowl domestically under supervision while modifying his technique. By March 2009, after revising his bowling action, the ICC cleared him to resume international play, confirming the legality of both his stock and faster deliveries.

Return after suspension

Abdur Razzak made his international comeback in July 2009 during Bangladesh’s tour of the West Indies following his suspension period. Although omitted from the Test team, he participated in the one-day internationals and earned the man-of-the-match award in the opening ODI by claiming 4 wickets for 39 runs, helping Bangladesh secure a 52-run victory over a weakened West Indies lineup. He ended as Bangladesh’s top wicket-taker in the three-match series with seven wickets at an average of 22.85. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury sustained in the final match sidelined him for the subsequent Zimbabwe tour in August 2009. By October–November that year, he had recovered and took 15 wickets across five ODIs against Zimbabwe, contributing significantly to Bangladesh’s 4–1 series win and earning the Man of the Series accolade.

Late career

In November 2010, Abdur Razzak was awarded one of the highest-level central contracts by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), among sixteen players selected. He was included in Bangladesh’s 15-man squad for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. When Zimbabwe resumed Test cricket in August 2011, Razzak took two wickets despite Bangladesh losing the match. However, his impact waned during the following ODI series where he managed only two wickets over four games as Bangladesh lost 3–2. His performance further declined on the West Indies tour later that year, resulting in exclusion from the Test squad and eventual contemplation of retirement from international cricket by 2014.

On 28 March 2013, Razzak became the first Bangladeshi bowler to reach 200 wickets in ODIs after taking five scalps against Sri Lanka in the third ODI. On 5 May 2013, he recorded his maiden half-century—an unbeaten 53 runs against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo—setting a new record for Bangladesh’s fastest fifty at that time, although Bangladesh lost by six wickets. He also holds distinction as the first left-arm spinner and second spinner overall after Saqlain Mushtaq to claim a hat-trick.

After achieving the milestone of being the first Bangladeshi to take 500 wickets in first-class cricket, Razzak was recalled to the Test squad in January 2018 as cover for injured Shakib Al Hasan. He returned to Test cricket on 8 February 2018 against Sri Lanka and took four wickets to help dismiss Sri Lanka for 222 runs in their first innings.

Post retirement

In March 2020, Razzak was offered a role on Bangladesh’s national selection panel; however, due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, his appointment was postponed until January 2021. Subsequently, he considered extending his domestic playing career. On 13 February 2021, Abdur Razzak along with Shahriar Nafees announced their retirement from all formats of cricket.