Meherab Hossain Opie, a notable figure in the history of Bangladesh cricket, has clarified that he is not involved with any political party, following recent speculation regarding his alleged entry into politics. The former opening batsman, who holds the distinction of scoring Bangladesh’s first-ever century in One Day International cricket, issued a public statement to address the matter.
Although he retired from international cricket several years ago, Opie remains actively engaged in the sport. He is currently serving as a selector for Bangladesh Cricket Board youth development teams, contributing to the identification and development of emerging cricketers.
In recent days, social media platforms circulated claims suggesting that the former cricketer was preparing to join the National Citizens’ Party (NCP). The reports led to widespread confusion and discussion, prompting Opie to provide a formal clarification.
On Saturday, 2 May, the 47-year-old issued a written statement on his official Facebook account. In it, he categorically stated that he is not affiliated with any political organisation and has no intention of joining politics in the near future. He also urged the public not to be misled by unverified information.
In his post, Opie wrote:
“Assalamu Alaikum. I, former national cricketer Meherab Hossain Opie, am not involved with any political party, nor am I joining any political party.”
Following this clarification, the speculation surrounding his alleged political involvement subsided.
Meherab Hossain Opie made his international debut for Bangladesh in 1998. He is particularly remembered for his historic innings in 1999 during a tri-nation series at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, where he scored 101 runs against Zimbabwe. This innings marked the first century by a Bangladeshi player in ODI cricket, a milestone in the country’s cricketing history.
He represented Bangladesh in both Test and One Day International formats, featuring in a total of 9 Test matches and 18 ODIs during his international career.
International Career Summary
| Format | Matches Played | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Test Matches | 9 | International debut in 1998 |
| One Day Internationals | 18 | First Bangladesh ODI century (101 runs vs Zimbabwe, 1999) |
| ODI Century | 1 | Historic first for Bangladesh |
Opie’s clarification has effectively ended the recent speculation regarding his involvement in politics, reaffirming his current role within cricket administration.