# Khandoker Wasim Iqbal

Khandoker Wasim Iqbal (Bengali: খন্দকার ওয়াসিম ইকবাল; born 21 November 1961) is a retired Bangladeshi football player and coach. He mainly played as a right winger, and was one of the most recognised players during the early years of Bangladeshi football. He was a prominent member of the Bangladesh national team from 1982 to 1990.

## Club career
### Brothers Union

Wasim's career began with his local club Brothers Union's youth team, with whom he took part in the Pioneer League. During his time with the youth team, Wasim managed to impress the club's captain Shahiduddin Ahmed Selim and was promoted to the senior team, within a year. Under the legendary Brothers coach Abdul Gafur Baloch, Wasim made his First Division League debut against Dhaka Wanderers. He started his career as a striker, but was soon converted to an out an out right winger in a 4-2-4 system and in his debut season of 1979, he scored in a 1–0 victory over Mohammedan. In 1984 he was named the club's captain.
Wasim's career with the Oranges saw him win the Federation Cup in 1980 and the Aga Khan Gold Cup in 1982. The late 70s and early 80s was the golden era for Brothers Union as their academy setup produced national team players like Hasanuzzaman Bablu, Mohammed Mohsin and the ever-dependable Wasim himself, whose technical ability was not something many local players had at the time. During Brothers' Aga Khan Gold Cup triumph in 1982, Wasim scored as the club routed the Oman national football team 3–1. He was a guest player during Mohammedan's Ashis-Jabbar Shield Tournament victory in India.
One of Wasim's most forgettable moments occurred during the 1985 First Division League deciding match against Abahani Krira Chakra. With Brothers needing a win to claim their first league title, they soon took a two-goal lead against their rivals. Furthermore, Wasim found himself in a one-on-one situation with Abahani's Sri Lankan goalkeeper, Chandrashir; however, his miss saw Abahani win the game 3–2, ending Wasim's hope for a first league title with his boyhood club.

### East Bengal Club

In 1987, when Wasim was made the national team captain for the second time, he attracted interest from overseas and eventually joined Kolkata-based Indian giants, East Bengal Club. During his stint in India, he participated in both the Calcutta League and Rovers Cup. He won the Calcutta League title, before returning to Dhaka.

### Dhaka Abahani

In 1988, Wasim joined Abahani Krira Chakra. He spent two years at the club winning the First Division in 1989 and also India's Sait Nagjee Trophy, with Wasim assisting Sheikh Mohammad Aslam's winning goal in the final. Wasim also represented Mohammedan as a guest player during the J.C. Guha Memorial Trophy in India, losing the final to Mohun Bagan AC. In 1990, he scored the only goal as Abahani defeated India's Mohun Bagan in the Azmiri Begum Gold Cup final in Feni.

### Return to Brothers Union

In 1991, Wasim returned to Brothers Union, following an offer from club official, Sadeque Hossain Khoka. Following his return, the club won their first solo title, defeating Mohammedan on penalties in the Federation Cup final. He also represented Brothers in the first round of the 1992–93 Asian Club Championship against Wohaib FC.

## International career

Wasim played for the Bangladesh U-19 team at the 1980 AFC Youth Championship and soon became a member for the Bangladesh national team, making his official debut during the 1982 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup in Pakistan. Wasim regularly featured for the national team from 1982 to 1990, and captained the side at the 1984 South Asian Games in Nepal, and again at the 1987 South Asian Games in India. One of his most memorable matches for the national side came during the 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against the Philippines, when he almost single-handedly won the match for Bangladesh with his two goals in the first half.
On 8 March 1989, Wasim scored his last goal for the country, during what's considered to be one of Bangladesh's best ever performances in international football, thrashing Thailand 3–1 at the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Before the start of the 1989 South Asian Games, coach Nasser Hejazi dropped many regular faces including Wasim. It was suspected that as Wasim played for Abahani Limited Dhaka at the time, the Mohammedan coach Hejazi did not want him in the team.

## Career statistics
### International goals

    Scores and results list Bangladesh's goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 18 February 1982 | National Stadium, Pakistan, Karachi | Pakistan | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1982 Quaid-e-Azam International Cup |
| 2. | 13 August 1984 | Sriwedari Stadium, Solo, Thailand | Philippines | 1–0 | 3–2 | 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 3. | 13 August 1984 | Sriwedari Stadium, Solo, Thailand | Philippines | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1984 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 4. | 21 September 1984 | Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal | Nepal | | 5–0 | 1984 South Asian Games |
| 5. | 21 September 1984 | Dasharath Rangasala, Kathmandu, Nepal | Nepal | | 5–0 | 1984 South Asian Games |
| 6. | 23 December 1985 | Dhaka, Bangladesh | Maldives | | 8–0 | 1985 South Asian Games |
| 7. | 23 December 1985 | Dhaka, Bangladesh | Maldives | | 8–0 | 1985 South Asian Games |
| 8. | 8 March 1989 | Dhaka Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh | Thailand | 1–0 | 3–1 | 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification |

### International goals for club
#### Brothers Union

    Scores and results list Brothers' Union goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 14 January 1982 | Dhaka Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh | Oman | 1–0 | 3–1 | 1982 Aga Khan Gold Cup |

## Style of play

Wasim dominated the domestic football scene in the 80s in the colors of Brothers Union with his deft dodges, speed, lethal crosses and stunning goals. He was mainly known for his dribbles and is considered to be the best dribbler of the ball Bangladesh ever produced.

## Managerial career

After retiring, Wasim started his coaching career with his former club Brothers Union's under 19 team and later went on to manage the senior team for three years. In 2013, he took charge of Sheikh Jamal DC for the Bangladesh Super Cup.
He later focused on grassroots, coaching with United City in the Third Division League and Little Friends Club in the Second Division League.
In October 2021, he became the general manager of Sheikh Russel KC in the Bangladesh Premier League.
In March 2022, Wasim was dismissed from the general manager post of Sheikh Russel KC.

## Personal life

Wasim studied in Ramakrishna Mission High School, which is where he learned how to play football, due to his father's persistence. During the peak of his career Wasim appeared in the movie Johnny Ustad, where he acted alongside film stars like Zafar Iqbal and Anju Ghosh.

## Honours

Brothers Union
* Federation Cup: 1980, 1991
* Aga Khan Gold Cup: 1981–82
* DMFA Cup: 1984
Mohammedan SC
* Ashis-Jabbar Shield Tournament (India): 1982
East Bengal Club
* Calcutta Football League: 1987
Abahani Limited Dhaka
* Federation Cup: 1988
* Sait Nagjee Trophy: 1989
* Dhaka First Division League: 1989–90
* Independence Cup: 1990
* Azmiri Begum Gold Cup: 1990
Bangladesh
* South Asian Games Silver medal: 1984, 1985

### Awards and accolades

* 1985 − Sports Writers Association's Best Footballer Award.
* 2006 − National Sports Award.