No other player in Bangladesh cricket generates as much passion and controversy amongst fans. Critics claim he has stayed too long in the team and is blocking the path to a more deserving player.
His status as an all rounder too has been often the target of much ridicule.
Regardless of what others may think of his skills or place in the team, there is no doubt of his enthusiasm for the sport and his ability as a team leader and communicator — a reason why he was chosen to replace Khaled Mashud as captain after their disastrous performance in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
He bowls with a gentle medium pace and usually keeps to a very good line and length. His balls tend to skid off the seam and he made excellent use of this during Bangladesh's giant-killing victory against Pakistan during the 1999 World Cup at Northampton.
He did not have much success in Tests, and for a while was skirting with one of the worst bowling average for a recognised bowler.
Just before the second Test against Australia in 2003, his average had ballooned to an astronomical 406.
{{/usCountry}}Just before the second Test against Australia in 2003, his average had ballooned to an astronomical 406.
{{/usCountry}}He has since fought back with some good performances during the subsequent away tour to Pakistan in 2003.
While an all-rounder, his batting has not been too spectacular with only one half century in both forms of the game, but he has been able to contribute a few runs late in the order.
Criticisms against Khaled Mahmud reached a peak just before the Zimbabwe tour of 2003/04 and he was sacked from the captaincy and dropped from the Test team.
He was sacked as captain, dropped from the Test team, forced into retirement, then coerced back into action, reinstated to the one-day squad. And all in the space of three days.
The old fighter may yet have a few more rounds in him.