Bangladesh's senior coach, Aftaf Hussain,passes away

Bangladesh's senior most cricket coach Altaf Hussain passed away in Dhaka on Tuesday leaving the cricket fraternity in shock. One minute silence was observed during the start of the Dhaka Premier League Twenty20 match between Abahani Limited and Prime Bank Cricket Club at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.

Altaf was the head coach of Bangladesh during the 1990 Asia Cup while he played similar roles at different junctures of his career and was considered as a premier coach since the independence of Bangladesh after being involved with the national cricket team in many capacities from 1976 to 2001. He also played crucial role in developing women's cricket in the country.

Though he retired as a cricket coach from National Sports Council in 2006, Altaf was still involved in the game via his coaching academy in Dhaka.

''We have lost an architect who had shaped the return of cricket in Bangladesh following independence in 1971. Altaf Hussain had the most pleasant personality and was respected by all for his selfless commitment to our cricket,'' BCB president Nazmul Hasan said in a condolence message.

"His is a lasting legacy. For half a century he had worked with exemplary dedication, sincerity and honesty, often in the most challenging circumstances to develop cricketers and the game of cricket. Altaf Hussain's contribution to Bangladesh cricket will never be forgotten,'' he added.