Khaled Ahmed, the 34-year-old Bangladeshi quick, has spent the past month enjoying his first experience of County Cricket with Kent, who are now on the verge of promotion to Division One of the County Championship.
In an exclusive in-depth interview with The Crichub, Khaled discussed how his stint in England has improved him as a player and his hopes for the future.
The Crichub (TCH): How would you sum up your County Cricket experience so far?
Khaled Ahmed (KH): I’m enjoying it, I’m playing here for the first time, I used to dream as a child about playing on a big stage and in County Cricket , I really rate County Cricket, and now, thankfully, the dream has come true. I’ve got one match left; if we win that, it will be even better.
TCH: What are the differences in first-class cricket in Bangladesh compared to England?
KH: It’s generally the same, but here they really own their cricket. There are a lot of supporters who turn up at the ground; it’s more competitive. No supporters turn up to watch our first-class cricket. Everything is more professionally handled here. I really like playing in front of supporters. The Kent supporters are really passionate about their team. From young to old, they all turn up to support us.
TCH: Is there a difference in terms of personal responsibility?
KH: Our cricket is still developing, whereas English cricket is already well developed. You will be coached before the game starts. They will talk you through any problems, but once you’re on the field, they will leave you alone. They (the coaches) will support you, they know what your capabilities are and what you’re trying to achieve, but they won’t talk to you about your thoughts during a live game. It’s your responsibility (to work things out on the field).
They are teaching professionalism (through personal responsibility), in terms of your fitness and diet. If I was in Bangladesh, I could always leave those things to someone else, I would just ask, and it’s done. But here you have to do your own laundry, do your own stretching and carry your own kit bag. After a day’s play, you have to do your own cooking too.
TCH: So you must have learnt a lot in the past month?
KH: I’ve learnt what professionalism really is. They really value politeness, saying “please” and “thank you”, unlike in Bangladesh. For the first couple of days, I didn’t say “please” or “thank you”, so someone took me to one side and asked me why. I apologised, and now I’ve got the habit of always saying “please” and “thank you”.
TCH: And do you get on with your Kent teammates?
KH: My teammates are so friendly. When I first arrived, all of them were saying if there’s anything I needed, just ask. The captain (Daniel Bell-Drummond) personally called me and said if there was anything that I needed, to let him know. Everyone is so friendly, from the coach (Adam Hollioake), who is obviously a legend of the game, to everyone else. Everyone is treated equally, all 15 players in the squad are equal. I really like all of my teammates.
TCH: You arrived at Kent with Hasan Mahmud (from Australia), he had been playing at Kent earlier in the summer. What was it like when Hasan Mahmud returned to Bangladesh earlier than planned? Did you feel awkward?
KH: I did feel a bit shy at first, but because I had already spent time here, it was fine. I didn’t play in the match (against Worcestershire) immediately after arriving here. I was told to practice and to be ready for the next game (against Derbyshire). I was pleased because I felt tired, I was still jet-lagged, and they knew that. I then played at Derbyshire, where we narrowly lost, we almost drew the game.
TCH: And then you took 8 wickets against Lancashire, including 5 wickets in the first innings – you must have been pleased with that?
KH: It was a slow wicket at first, with plenty of grass on it. We managed to contain the runs before lunch on the first day. I think we conceded around 70 runs after 30 overs. At lunch I was saying how in Bangladesh first-class cricket, there’s often no wickets before lunch and then you’ll suddenly see that a team is all out before tea. I told the captain that’s what I thought would happen, and then wickets started falling after lunch.
I enjoyed bowling in partnership with the others. And the Derbyshire players were very respectful too; if you’re friendly with them, they will show you a lot of respect.
TCH: I also saw you leading the team off, after taking your five-wicket haul.
KH: Whenever you perform well, all the other players stand around you in a semi-circle as you walk off the field. It was a really nice feeling when that happened, all the supporters were applauding, and I even saw the groundsman stop what he was doing to applaud. It was so nice to see the whole ground standing and clapping.
TCH: And did you manage to speak to Sir James Anderson (Lancashire captain) after the game?
KH: I’ve been a big fan of Anderson and Stuart Broad since I was a child. After the game, I saw that Anderson was busy, so I didn’t go over and talk to him. We just shook hands, and he said, “Well bowled”.
TCH: Looking into the future, Bangladesh will play England at Lord’s in May (2026). You must feel like you’ve got an advantage in terms of being selected, as you have experienced English conditions?
KH: I said before that if Hasan and I do come over for the Lord’s Test next year, our experience at Kent will be a big benefit. We can pass on the knowledge gained after bowling with a Dukes ball in England.
TCH: So let’s go backwards to the Darwin Test, how was that experience?
KH: We had belief from the start, we saw their batting line-up and felt that it wasn’t as strong as our bowling line-up. We knew that if we could get Travis Head out early, we had a good chance. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, they probably thought they would put up a big score, I think they underestimated us believing that we were a smaller team.
When we bowled them out for 190-odd in the first innings, our belief only increased. We knew that we could get a good lead, our top order batted well, as well as the lower order. That’s where we won the game; when Hasan batted with Mehidy Hasan Miraz, they faced Cummins and Hazlewood and soaked up so many balls.
It was actually quite similar conditions to Bangladesh. It was hot and the wicket played in a similar way to Bangladesh, so we adjusted to it easily. And then after we won, it seemed that the whole world was talking about how we had beaten Australia. I think we’re only the second or third team from Asia to win a Test in Australia (they are the third Asian team to win a Test in Australia, although Pakistan’s last win was in 1995). So it was a proud moment.
TCH: How did it feel winning it in Darwin, yet being a squad member?
KH: I obviously missed it and wanted to play, but there are 15 team members, and we all felt proud. I know I didn’t play in the Test; that’s fine. I can still say that I was a part of it. So I felt good – I didn’t play because of team combinations, but I did my job and everyone appreciated my role. I’m hopeful of getting my chance in the future, the next is against Afghanistan (in October), so let’s see what happens.
TCH: Unlike before, it seems that Test cricket is now the priority for Bangladesh. As someone regarded as a red ball specialist, that must be good news for you?
KH: There’s now a big competition for places among the fast bowlers, which is great. I enjoy all formats, but I enjoy Test cricket the most, so I try to give it priority. I have my dreams and hopes of going much further in the future, so let’s see.
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