National award-winning former cricketer and pioneer of cricket coaching, Syed Altaf Hossain has passed away at the age of 81.
He breathed his last on Tuesday (Feb 26) at the capital’s Ibn Sina Hospital.
Altaf Hossain has been ill for quite some time and was undergoing treatment. However, he was taken to the hospital on Tuesday when he suddenly fell unconscious.
The doctors declared him dead upon reaching.
His first funeral prayers will be held at Hussaini Dalan at Nazimuddin Road on Wednesday (Feb 27) after the Zuhr prayers. The second one will be held at the National Sports Council at 3:30 pm.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hassan expressed condolences at the former cricketer’s death.
Altaf Hossain became a cricket coach with the National Sports Council in 1973 and played a pioneering role in the re-emergence of the game in Bangladesh in the period following the War of Liberation.
Apart from being the coach of the National side in representative matches, he was the Head Coach of the Bangladesh National Team in the 1990 Asia Cup tournament.
Under his guidance, women’s cricket started its journey in this country with a tour by Abahani Krira Chakra to West Bengal in 1982.
From 1996 to 2007, he worked closely with the Bangladesh Cricket Board in creating a base for talented women cricketers.
For his service to Bangladesh cricket he received the National Sports Award in 1999.