Hasan swings it, and he sings it, too

Bangladesh opening bowler Hasan Raju is a young man of many talents - and not just on the cricket field.

The 17-year old right-arm medium pacer reckons if he doesn't make it as a professional cricketer, he can always pursue his other passion - singing.

His team-mates say the talented Hasan has a great voice - and an impromptu performance at a team training session confirms it. Hasan says he's hoping to continue developing both skills, and would like to follow a career in singing, as well as improving his cricket to the stage where he could become semi-professional or professional.

There's every chance Hasan will make it as a cricketer, if his performances at Under-19 level are anything to go by. He's been turning heads and making observers take notice of his talent.

He picked up a five wicket bag in a 50-over match against Pakistan last year and repeated that with five for 26 against Zimbabwe under-19s. He proved he's no slug with the bat either, slamming 22 off 16 balls against Zimbabwe, and an unbeaten 32 from 17 balls to help his side to victory over England last October.

Hasan had a good start to the U19 CWC. At the end of the group stage, with Bangladesh based at Palmerston North, he was among the top five wicket-takers for the tournament, having taken seven wickets at an average of 20.85, including an outstanding four for 22 against Papua New Guinea.

From Syhet in the north eastern province of Bangladesh, Raju has been selected for the national academy base in Dhaka which boasts the only turf pitch in the country. The academy selects elite cricketers from the age of 18 to 23 for the scheme which aims to improve and develop Bangladesh cricket talent.

Hasan also hopes to play in the Dhaka premier league and further his career in the game. He said he was disappointed that his team had not made it to the Super League in this World Cup because it had competed at that level in the previous World Cup. "We were hoping for a better result," he said.

Still, Hasan can hold his head high with his performances in New Zealand. And it's likely the cricket pundits will soon be singing his praises on the international stage.