For nearly two decades - stretching back to the days before Bangladesh earned Test status - Athar Ali Khan and Shamim Ashraf Chowdhury have stood as pioneering figures in the Bangladesh commentary panel.
These veteran voices, both deeply rooted in the game, have played an instrumental role in taking Bangladesh cricket to the world stage.
As the commentary landscape evolved - with more cricketers turning to broadcasting after retirement - the need to revitalize Bangladesh’s commentary bench became increasingly apparent.
Although several former national players like Mehrab Hossain Jr and Shahriar Nafees made occasional appearances, a consistent new voice remained elusive - and the search to fill that growing vacuum carried on.
However, the inclusion of Tamim Iqbal in the comm box came as a breath of fresh air where a few cameos from the dashing left-hander impressed the Bangladeshi fans.
In time, Bangladesh discovered two fresh voices in the shape of Mazhar Uddin and Samannoy Ghosh, who are poised to succeed the legendary Athar and Shamim.
Among the two, Mazhar’s journey began on the field. A former captain of Bangladesh’s Under-15 national team in 2002 and a member of the U-19 World Cup squad in 2006, he later played first-class and List A cricket. But a shoulder injury abruptly redirected his path. His move into journalism was not just a fallback - it was a new frontier.
Since 2017, Mazhar has been one of only four Bangladeshi commentators consistently appointed for Bangladesh’s home series’ till now.
Yet, Mazhar’s early days in commentary were far from easy. The journey was neither smooth nor sweet. He had to prove himself - overcoming doubts, working through limited opportunities, and enduring the scrutiny that comes with stepping into a space long held by established voices.
“After the shoulder injury, when I realized I’d lost the rhythm to make a cricketing comeback, I shifted my focus to finishing my graduation. That’s when my journey in sports journalism began - starting at Dhaka Tribune in 2013. Having a player’s mindset and passion about the sport helped me build trust with the national team players. Good connection with the players allowed me to keep contributing to the game, this time through my pen. Later I joined The Daily Star as a sports correspondent in 2017. It became a preparatory phase that helped me nurture a passion my late father and I had dreamed of together - becoming an international commentator. That phase truly laid the foundation for what was to come,” said Mazhar to Dhaka Tribune.
So far Mazhar shared the mic with over 20 global icons, including Sir Curtly Ambrose, Shaun Pollock, Ian Bishop, Ramiz Raja, Russel Arnold, Farveez Maharoof, Danny Morrison, Dominic Cork, Aamer Sohail - each stint further sharpening his craft and affirming his place on the global stage.
However, navigating this world demands more than just game knowledge - it requires precision, presence, and relentless preparation, not only to perform but to earn the financial stability that makes commentary a viable career.
“Turning your passion into a profession requires financial security - that’s the baseline. In Bangladesh, commentary is still evolving and often viewed as an occasional gig rather than a sustainable career. That’s why most of us need a buffer - usually a regular, well-paid job - to support ourselves as we grow into the role," said Mazhar.
"This is very different from the situation of many international commentators, who either enter the field well-positioned post-retirement or come from societies where basic livelihood needs are met. I believe the Bangladesh Cricket Board, as the custodian of our cricket ecosystem, has a crucial role to play.
"Whether through a structured pay scale or long-term contracts, they can address financial uncertainty while encouraging talented new voices to step in and grow."
One striking example came during a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match this year, when a controversial stumping incident shocked viewers.
On air, Mazhar responded with composed dismay: “This is shocking. I have never seen anything like this before.”
That honest, restrained reaction was picked up by international media and resonated across the global cricket community.
However, Mazhar vows to enhance his skills in the commentary scenario with continuous learning and self-improvement.
“I’m fully committed to this journey of incremental learning, resilience, reinvention, and excellence. I’ve been taking part in training sessions led by International Cricket Council-accredited experts to further enhance my commentary and presentation skills. I’m also grateful for the support I’ve received from BCB during my growth phase - and I strongly appeal for broader assignments in upcoming overseas series providing more opportunities to the Bangladeshi commentators. I believe it’s time to step onto the global pitch,” Mazhar concluded.
The commentary scene in Bangladesh is competitive - locally, with former national players entering the scene, and globally.
And despite not playing international cricket, Mazhar is slowly but gradually making an impact as a significant voice in the world of commentary.
