Wisden overview
As a 20-year-old, Minhajul Abedin played in Bangladesh's very first official one-day international, against Pakistan at Moratuwa in 1985-86. Thirteen years later, he bowed out of international cricket in style, when his seven vitally economical overs of offspin helped Bangladesh to their first (and, by mid-2003, only) victory over Test-playing opposition, against Pakistan at Northampton in the 1999 World Cup. In between whiles, Minhajul was a regular member of Bangladesh's middle order - and even captained them for two matches during the Asia Cup in 1990-91. But his record was inauspicious. He managed just two scores above 40 in his first 23 innings, and was only included in the 1999 World Cup squad at the last minute. Belatedly, however, he rose to the occasion, top-scoring against Scotland at Edinburgh (a performance that might have earned him the sobriquet, Abedin Angus ...) and compiling a gritty unbeaten 53 against the mighty Australians. After the tournament he retired on a high, but his correct technique and unflappable temperament kept him in the selectors' minds when Bangladesh were subsequently awarded Test status. In June 2002, at the age of 36, he was invited to join a national training camp, but the prospect of a Test debut has since receded.
Andrew Miller