Tariq Raihan Kazi (; born 6 October 2000) is a Bangladeshi professional footballer who plays as a defender for Bangladesh Premier League club Bashundhara Kings. Born in Finland, he represents the Bangladesh national team at international level. During his youth career he was primarily used as a right wing-back, who could also be deployed as a right back, later on he was transitioned into a center back by coach Óscar Bruzón.
Kazi is the second Bangladeshi descent footballer to represent Bangladesh internationally after Danish-born Jamal Bhuyan. He represented Finland at U17 and U19 levels internationally, before switching national sides. He also made an appearance in the UEFA Europa League qualifying stage for Ilves.
Personal life
Kazi was born to a Finnish mother and a Bangladeshi father in Tampere. Kazi, who has represented Finland in the U17, U18, U19 national team, also has a Bangladeshi passport due to his family roots. His father Sahidul Kazi is a teacher of Tampare University of applied science. Kazi is the grandson of the heroic freedom fighter and school teacher of naogaon, Abdul Jabber Kazi, who was martyred in the battlefield of 1971 liberation war. He has a brother and two sisters.
Club career
Ilves
Kazi began his career with Ilves, making his Veikkausliiga debut for the club in June 2018 as a substitute in a 3–1 loss to KuPS. On 19 July 2018, Kazi became the first ever Bangladeshi to play in a Europa League match. He came on as a substitute in the 76th minute for Jani Tanska, as Ilves defeated Bulgarian club PFC Slavia Sofia 2–1.
HJS Akatemia
Tariq spent the 2018–19 season on loan at Swedish club HJS Akatemia who currently play in the Kakkonen which is the third level in the league system of Finnish football and comprises 36 Finnish football teams. During the season Tariq managed to make 8 appearances for the club.
Bashundhara Kings
In November 2019, Kazi joined Bangladesh Premier League side Bashundhara Kings on a three-year deal.
International career
Having represented Finland at youth international level, in November 2020, Kazi was called up to the Bangladesh squad for their friendlies against Nepal but had to withdraw from the squad due to injury.
On 3 June 2021, Kazi made his senior international debut for Bangladesh in a 1–1 draw against Afghanistan in the country's 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier, playing full 90 minutes.
Career statistics
Club
International
International goals
Scores and results list Bangladesh's goal tally first.