Anwarul Kabir Shamim, popularly known as Shamim Kabir, the first National Cricket team Captain of Bangladesh, breathed his last on Monday morning at a clinic in Dhaka at the age of 74.
He led the Bangladesh national cricket team against an international opponent during the 1976-77 tour of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to Bangladesh. The opening batsman and wicketkeeper, Shamim Kabir played in 15 first class matches between 1961 and 1969 for different teams including East Pakistan, East Zone and Dacca University.
Following his retirement as a player, he continued to contribute to the game as an administrator and was the Manager of the National Team in the ICC Trophy tournaments in 1982 and 1986. He was a former BCB Councillor and had also been a member of various BCB Standing Committees. Shamim Kabir received the National Sports Award in 1999 for his service to Bangladesh cricket.
The State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell and BCB presidents Nazmul Hasan Paopn, MP expressed their deep shock at the passing away of former national cricketer and cricket organizer.
Meanwhile, different sports bodies including Bangladesh Football Federation, Bangladesh Olympic Associations, Abahani Ltd, Bangladesh Sports journalist Community, in separate messages, also expressed deep shock at the death of Shamim.
His namaz-e-janaza will be held at the BCB National Academy Ground on August 1 (Thursday) at 11:00am. As a mark of respect, the Bangladesh Cricket Team will wear black arm bands during the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka on 31 July.
