Najmul Hossain Shanto – Bangladesh’s Rising Star in International Cricket

Introduction

Najmul Hossain Shanto is one of Bangladesh’s most promising cricketers and the current captain of the national team in Test and One Day Internationals (ODIs). Known for his composed batting, solid technique, and leadership qualities, Shanto has emerged as a key player for Bangladesh across all formats. Born on 25 August 1998 in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Shanto made his international debut in 2017 and has steadily grown into a dependable top-order batsman. His journey from domestic cricket to captaining the national team reflects his determination and talent. With several centuries in Test and ODI cricket, Shanto has proven his ability to perform under pressure. He also led Bangladesh in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, showcasing his growing stature in world cricket. This article provides a detailed look at Najmul Hossain Shanto’s career, records, and contributions to Bangladesh cricket.

Najmul Hossain Shanto – Quick Facts

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Najmul Hossain Shanto
Born	25 August 1998 (Age 26)
Birthplace	Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Batting Style	Left-handed
Bowling Style	Right-arm off-break
Role	Top-order batter
National Team	Bangladesh (2017–present)
Captaincy	Test & ODI Captain (2024–Present)

Career Statistics

Format	Matches	Runs	Batting Avg	Strike Rate	100s/50s	Top Score
Tests	30	1,641	29.30	51.45	5/4	163
ODIs	45	1,365	33.29	82.10	3/8	122*
T20Is	46	908	23.28	119.45	0/4	71
First-Class	76	4,856	38.23	54.90	13/21	253*

Early Life and Domestic Career

Najmul Hossain Shanto was born in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, and started his cricketing journey at the Clemon Rajshahi Cricket Academy. Despite living 20 kilometers away from the academy, he showed immense dedication by cycling and walking daily to train. His talent was quickly recognized, and he made his mark in domestic cricket:

• First-Class Debut: He played his first first-class match in 2015 for Rajshahi Division.
• List A Debut: He made his List A debut in 2016 for Abahani Limited.
• Bangladesh Premier League (BPL): Played for Comilla Victorians, Sylhet Strikers, Fortune Barishal, and other teams.
• Highest Opening Partnership (341 runs) in Bangladesh’s domestic first-class cricket, along with Mizanur Rahman (2017).
• Most Runs in the Dhaka Premier League 2017–18: Scored 749 runs in 16 matches.

His domestic performances earned him a call-up to the Bangladesh Under-19 squad, and he played in the 2016 ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup.

International Career

Test Cricket Journey

Najmul Hossain Shanto made his Test debut on 20 January 2017 against New Zealand. Though he had a slow start in international cricket, he worked hard to establish himself. His breakthrough came in April 2021, when he scored his maiden Test century (163 runs) against Sri Lanka.

Key Test performances:

• 163 vs Sri Lanka (2021) – First Test century
• 117 vs Zimbabwe (2021)* – Helped Bangladesh secure a victory
• 146 & 124 vs Afghanistan (2023) – Became the second Bangladeshi to score two centuries in a Test
• 105 vs New Zealand (2023) – Led Bangladesh to a historic victory

Shanto’s ability to build innings and bat for long periods makes him an important player in Bangladesh’s Test lineup.

ODI Career – A Reliable Performer

Shanto made his ODI debut on 20 September 2018 against Afghanistan. Over the years, he has developed into a consistent run-scorer. His key ODI achievements include:

• 122 vs Sri Lanka (2024)* – Highest score by a Bangladeshi captain in ODIs
• 117 vs Ireland (2023) – First ODI century
• 104 vs Afghanistan (2023) – Match-winning innings

His ability to adapt to different conditions and anchor innings makes him one of Bangladesh’s most valuable ODI players.

T20I Career – Bangladesh’s Key Player in ICC Tournaments

Najmul Hossain Shanto made his T20I debut on 18 September 2019 against Zimbabwe.

• ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Highest run-scorer for Bangladesh – 180 runs in 5 matches 71 vs Zimbabwe – Helped Bangladesh secure a crucial win Fifty vs Pakistan – Showed his ability to perform under pressure

His strike rate and adaptability in T20 cricket have made him a key part of Bangladesh’s white-ball setup

Captaincy – Leading Bangladesh Cricket into a New Era

In February 2024, Najmul Hossain Shanto was named the captain of the Bangladesh cricket team across all formats. His leadership skills and ability to perform under pressure earned him this prestigious role. Key achievements as captain:

• Led Bangladesh in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup
• Scored 122 vs Sri Lanka in his first ODI series as captain* – Highest score by a Bangladeshi captain
• Guided Bangladesh to a Test win against New Zealand (2023)

His leadership marks a new era for Bangladesh cricket, focusing on stability, aggression, and long-term success.

Records and Achievements

Record	Details
Most Runs for Bangladesh in ICC T20 World Cup 2022	180 runs in 5 matches
First Bangladeshi to score 500+ runs in a BPL season	516 runs (2023)
Highest opening partnership in Bangladesh First-Class cricket	341 runs (2017)
Highest ODI score by a Bangladeshi captain	122* vs Sri Lanka (2024)
Second Bangladeshi to score twin centuries in a Test match	146 & 124 vs Afghanistan (2023)

Najmul Hossain Shanto in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)

Najmul Hossain Shanto has been a consistent performer in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He played for multiple teams, including:

Team	Years	Top Score
Comilla Victorians	2016–2017	71
Sylhet Strikers	2023–2024	115
Fortune Barishal	2024	99*

He was the highest run-scorer in the 2023 BPL season with 516 runs, becoming the first Bangladeshi to achieve this milestone.

Conclusion

Najmul Hossain Shanto is one of Bangladesh’s brightest cricketing talents. His ability to perform in all formats, coupled with his leadership qualities, makes him an integral part of Bangladesh cricket’s future. As the captain of the national team, Shanto’s role will be crucial in shaping Bangladesh’s success in international cricket. With his hard work, determination, and consistency, he is well on his way to becoming a Bangladeshi cricket legend. Stay tuned for more updates on Najmul Hossain Shanto’s journey!