Whatmore remembers Rana's smile

Zimbabwe coach Dav Whatmore reignited memories from the past when he went to visit former Bangladesh Test cricketer Manzarul Islam Rana's mother in Khulna yesterday.

Rana, who played six Tests and 25 ODIs, passed away on March 16, 2007 in a road accident. He was 22.

Whatmore spent some time chatting with the player's mother and glancing through the trophies that the player had won during his cricketing career.

“I vividly recall him coming into the team. I had a look at him. I liked what I saw and got him into the national team. He is someone who will always be special to me and I will always remember fondly,” Whatmore said while speaking to reporters outside Rana's residence.

When asked to state the most memorable quality of Rana, Whatmore said: “His smile. He was a whole-hearted cricketer. He was a bowler, a batsman and a fielder and a hell of a character in the dressing room. He offered a lot to the team and had a beautiful smile.”

“Whenever I am in Khulna, I make it a point to remember him and visit his mother,” the Australian added.

In 25 ODIs, Rana had a batting average of 20.68 and a bowling average of 29. The last match that he played was in Fatullah when he represented Khulna in the National Cricket League. Although Khulna lost that match to Dhaka by three wickets, Rana had finished with a nine-wicket haul.