Wisden overview
It is hard to imagine the tiny, china-faced Aminul as a professional footballer, yet that was his sport until a knee injury forced him onto the cricket field. He rose to become Bangladesh's captain for the 1999 World Cup, then lost that post too after the players' strike later that year. For a man of such delicate build, Aminul's footwork can be ponderous, and he has never been a prolific runscorer - not even in his days with United Services in the Hampshire league. Yet in Bangladesh's first Test match against India, Aminul ground out a nine-hour 145, an amazing display of concentration and perseverance, especially given his lack of first-class experience. That one innings has set him up for life. Simon Briggs

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