Rhythm on the field and off it

It all started with classical music lessons when Iftekhar Sajjad Rony was studying in class nine in Chittagong, before his passion for cricket called him away to the field of play. Iftekhar's family however was against the pursuit of a cricket career initially, instead encouraging him to become a musician and urging him to concentrate on his studies.

He was finally able to convince his parents to back his desire to become a professional cricketer and joined the Brothers Union academy in Chittagong, but only after completing his HSC examinations in 2007.

Soon, the off-spinning all-rounder was playing in the Dhaka First Division League in 2008 and made the step up to the Dhaka Premier League, which he has been playing the past six years now. Iftekhar made his first-class debut for Chittagong Division against Rangpur Division in 2015 and made a stellar impression in just his second game by notching innings figures of eight for 112 against Rajshahi. A handy batsman, Iftekhar also struck his maiden first-class ton in the same season when he hit an unbeaten 128 against Sylhet after coming in to bat at number eight.

The 30-year-old has 69 wickets from 22 first-class games with as many as five five-fors. He was also among the top four wicket-takers in the National Cricket League last season, during which he picked up 18 wickets in five games with two five-wicket hauls. He also featured for Brothers Union in the just-concluded DPL.

He did not forget about his other talent. Iftekhar continued making music along with playing cricket and has established himself as a Youtube musician; he has his own music channel and his solo track, 'Ojosro raat', was quite popular.

When asked how he manages to play cricket and make music at the same time Iftekhar, who idolises famous singer Tahsan, said that cricket will always remain his top priority.

"To be honest my first priority is cricket while singing is my hobby. My parents always encouraged me to learn music but never wanted me to play cricket because my result in HSC was not good as I used to play tape tennis cricket in Chittagong back then. But I still convinced them and started playing Dhaka leagues from 2008. Whenever my cricket season starts I totally focus on cricket and don't work on music; only after the season ends do I work on music," Iftekhar told The Daily Star yesterday.

The multi-talented Iftekhar dreams of launching his own album in the future and is already famous for his singing abilities among his fellow cricketers. Often he sings during breaks in play, on request.

"I was among the three singers who were selected to sing with Tahsan bhai during a music fest and he praised me a lot. At the moment I record music by myself on my phone with the music apps... I dream of launching my own album someday. I am trying to establish my Youtube music channel like the big singers do worldwide. During matches my teammates often ask me to sing songs in the dressing room and I enjoy it a lot. My parents are happy to see me as a professional cricketer now. Let's see where life takes me but at the moment I am happy to concentrate more on cricket," he added.

Former Bangladesh cricketer Mehrab Hossain Jnr is another cricketer known for his singing abilities, and now it is Iftekhar who is looking even further to become a professional singer, but for the time being his musical presence will certainly keep cricketers upbeat and in rhythm.