Minhajul Abedin Nannu born 25 September 1965 is a former Bangladeshi cricketer who played in 27 One Day Internationals from 1986 to 1999. Born in Chittagong, Abedin played domestically for Abahani Club and had a successful season in 1984-85, which forced the selectors to include him in the national side. He captained Bangladesh twice during the Asia Cup of 1990–91. In local cricket arena he is more commonly known by his nickname, “Nannu” Minhajul Abedin is a former Bangladeshi captain who took part in Bangladesh’s first ever ODI match against in 1986 at Moratuwa. During his playing days,
Abedin was considered as Bangladesh’s best batsman. He was included for the 1999 World Cup in England at the last moment, despite a string of low scores. Minhajul Abedin captained Bangladesh in the 1990 Asia Cup held in India. Though Bangladesh lost both the matches, His young team was praised for their performance against the strong opponents.
He signed off with a win which was also Bangladesh’s first win against a Test-playing nation. However he didn’t disappoint the selectors. He scored two unbeaten half-tons back-to-back against Scotland (which fetched him the man of the match award) and Australia (the eventual champions). And in the final game of the tournament, which also was to be the last international match for Abedin, his off-beaks were crucial. His spell of 1-29 off seven overs helped Bangladesh beat Pakistan defending a score of 223.
Minhajul Abedin Nannu didn’t get a chance to play Test cricket for Bangladesh. However he did enjoy a brief first-class career, finishing with a record of 1709 runs at 51.78. Following the disastrous performance of the national side in the 1986 ICC Trophy in England, BCCB, quite rightly decided to concentrate on domestic cricket over the next few seasons. The only major international cricket events for Bangladesh, in this period, were the 2nd South East Asia Cup in Hong Kong, in January 1988, (Bangladesh won the cup to qualify for the 4th Asia Cup in 1990) and the 3rd Asia Cup in Bangladesh, in Oct. 1988. (Bangladesh, as hosts, had automatically qualified). However, during the 1989–90 season there were regular international cricket for Bangladesh, as the national team prepared for the 4th ICC Trophy in Netherlands. Abedin, was at that time at the peak of his form and over the season he produced some truly memorable efforts.
A decade later he bowed out of international cricket, in the 1999 Cricket World Cup. He was considered lucky to be in the squad having not made a 50 in his 22 innings prior. After making 5 against the West Indies in their opening game he found form with an unbeaten 68 in a win against Scotland which gave him the man of the match award. Another unbeaten half century came in his next game, against the eventual champions Australia. Despite failing with the bat in the final game, against Pakistan in Northampton, he played a major part in an upset victory by taking 1/29 off 7 overs with his offspin. It was Bangladesh’s first ever win over a Test playing team.
Abedin played in four ICC Trophy tournaments for Bangladesh. In 1986, he failed with the bat only averaging 25.16. His highest score of 50 came against Kenya. He was more successful with the ball. Bowling slow off cutters, Abedin took 5 wickets at an impressive average of 9.40. Nannu was the Vice-Captain and a vital member of the team that finished third in the 1990 ICC Trophy tournament in Netherlands. He performed consistently with the bat, throughout the tournament. His total of 236 runs was the highest for his team. His top score (57) came in the Semi-Final against the eventual champions Zimbabwe. With the ball, he took 11 wickets at (21.18). His took 3/23 against Bermuda and 3/29 against Kenya. Bangladesh failed to reach the Semi-Finals four years later in Kenya, but Abadin performed commendably. He scored a total of 189 runs with two half centuries. He also captured 16 wickets at 14.75 a piece. Finally, he was the most experienced player of the triumphant campaign of 1997. There he scored a total of 185 runs and took 6 wickets.
In 1988 Nannu was made the Vice captain to Gazi Ashraf Lipu. After two years as the deputy, he was elevated to national team captaincy in 1990–91. Fondly known as Nannu, Abedin’s elder brother, Nurul Abedin, also played ODIs for Bangladesh. Minhajul didn’t play the longest format for his nation. But, he tasted success at the first-class level. He played 24 FC games and ended with an impressive average above 50. He is currently one of the selectors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Minhajul is currently one of the chief selectors of BCB, along with Akram Khan and Habibul Bashar .