Kazi Nazrul Islam (; born 16 October 1978) is a retired Bangladeshi professional footballer who played as a defender. He played for the Bangladesh national team from 1999 to 2008 and captained the team on multiple occasions. Nazrul worked as a team manager for his former club Abahani Limited Dhaka from 2023 to 2024.
Nazrul made his Dhaka Premier Division League debut with Farashganj SC in 1993. He transferred to Mohammedan SC in the 1997âÂÂ98 season and apart from the domestic league he also represented the club at the 1997âÂÂ98 Asian Club Championship. He spent most of his career with Abahani Limited Dhaka. His first spell with club lasted for two years and after four years away, Nazrul rejoined Abahani in 2007. During his second spell, Nazrul was a mainstay in defense as the club won the Bangladesh Premier League for three years straight, from 2007 till 2010. He was club captain in the 2008-09 season. He was released from the aging squad following the 2012âÂÂ13 season.
Nazrul represented Bangladesh U19 at the 1996 AFC Youth Championship after playing an important role during qualification. He captained the Bangladesh national team during the 2007 Nehru Cup. He initially retired from international football in 2007 after a fallout with head coach at the time, Syed Nayeemuddin. He returned to the team after Nayeemuddin left only to continue for one more year. During his final international tournament, the 2008 SAFF Championship, coach Abu Yusuf used Nazrul as a backup player despite playing with three central defenders, notably Nazrul was the top performer in the professional league that year.
Mohammedan
Abahani Limited Dhaka
Brothers Union
Bangladesh