Country's first triple centurion Tariquzzaman Munir passes away

DHAKA - Former Bangladesh national cricketer Tariquzzman Munir, who was the first triple centurion of the country, died of cardiac arrest in Brahmanbaria today.

   He was 62, family sources said.

   Tariquzzaman, a stocky right-handed batsman and sharp close-in fielder, hit the first triple century in independent Bangladesh when he made 308 for Dhaka University against Chittagong University in the semifinal of the 1984-85 National Cricket Championship at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (Abahani Ground).

   He represented the Bangladesh national team in two matches against touring Sri Lanka in 1985. In a club cricket career which began in 1976-77 for Eaglets Club, Tariquzzaman went on to appear for prominent teams like Abahani, Mohammedan, Biman and GMCC before calling it a day in 1990-91. His elder brother Asaduzzaman Misha is also a former national cricketer.

   Tariquzzaman served as the Tournament Manager of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Bangladesh for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

   In a message of condolence, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Tariquzzaman Munir, who was also former member secretary of BCB Logistics & Protocol Committee.

  The BCB prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.BSS