Ashraful reminisces Eid memories

Eid brings joy and happiness and teaches everyone to make sacrifices. Due to professional commitments, cricketers often have to miss out on the company of near ones on special days such as Eid.

But even away from friends and family, cricketers make fond memories with their teammates. Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful shared one such fond memory with The Daily Star.

"It was back in 2007 when I was the captain of the Bangladesh team and we were touring New Zealand. It was Eid day and we all finished our prayers and returned to the hotel when suddenly Javed bhai (Javed Omar Belim) came and started crying like a kid. I was shocked and asked him ' why are you crying?

"Javed bhai replied 'I am missing my family on this special day.' I tried to make things light so I said, 'Look the Bangladeshi expats are so happy to have us here on Eid and we are the reason for the smiles on their faces. Since you are an older guy (laughs), you should be strong enough and look after us," Ashrafu recollectedl with a massive smile on his face.

The 38-year-old also shared how he used to help his family clean cow intestines and had an interesting encounter with a neighbour.

"As you know many people like to eat cow intestine. But cleaning the intestine requires some skill. On one Eid, I was cleaning the intestines of a cow outside my house and suddenly an uncle came not knowing the fact that it was me and said, 'Once you are finished with yours, come and clean mine too.'

"The moment I looked back at him, he recognised me, got embarrassed and disappeared," he said.

Although Ashraful is not the best when it comes to buying cows and relies mainly on his elder brother, he enjoys having various dishes on special days.

"To be honest I am not an expert when it comes to buying cows from the cattle market. I normally avoid going to the cattle markets on Eid and depend on my elder brother, who is good at bargaining. I only enjoy having various dishes prepared on Eid. Apart from the cow's intestine, I love Korma," said Ashraful.