If you’re a Cricket enthusiast, especially one who follows Bangladesh cricket, you’ve likely heard the name Najmul Hossain Shanto. Here is everything you need to know about him.
Batting Career of Najmul Hossain Shanto
Early Life
Najmul Hossain Shanto was born on August 25, 1998, in Ranhat, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. His journey into cricket was marked by dedication from the very start. Shanto trained at the Clemon Rajshahi Cricket Academy, which was no small feat since it was nearly 20 kilometers away from his home.
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Personal Life
In 2020, during the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shanto tied the knot with Sabrin Sultana Ratna, marking a significant milestone in his personal life.
Domestic Stardom
Shanto’s cricketing journey began in earnest when he made his Twenty20 (T20) debut on November 8, 2016, playing for Comilla Victorians in the 2016–17 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). His domestic performances quickly gained attention. In December 2017, he, along with Mizanur Rahman, achieved a remarkable feat by forming the highest opening partnership in a domestic first-class match in Bangladesh, scoring a staggering 341 runs while playing for Rajshahi Division against Dhaka Metropolis in the 2017–18 National Cricket League.
In the 2017–18 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, Shanto emerged as the leading run-scorer, amassing 749 runs in just 16 matches.
In 2022–23 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) season, playing for Sylhet Strikers, he became the highest run-scorer and became the first Bangladeshi player to score more than 500 runs in a BPL season. For his wonderful performance he got the player of the tournament award.
International Stardom
He made his Test debut for Bangladesh on January 20, 2017, in the second Test against New Zealand.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he made his debut against Afghanistan on September 20, 2018.
In the T20 format, he showcased his prowess in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, emerging as the highest run-scorer for the Bangladesh cricket team, amassing 180 runs in just 5 matches.
In April 2021, he scored his first century in Test cricket against Sri Lanka. He continued his Test century spree, scoring another against Zimbabwe in July 2021.
Shanto’s also contributed to T20 Internationals (T20Is) as well. In a match against Zimbabwe in October 2022, he scored his maiden half-century in T20I cricket, helping Bangladesh secure a win. His performances in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup, including fifty against Pakistan, established him as trustworthy player among Bangladeshi Cricket fans..
In March 2023, Shanto was named in Bangladesh’s T20I and ODI squad for their series against England.
Notably, in June 2023, Shanto became the second Bangladeshi to score two centuries in a Test during a one-off Test against Afghanistan, making 146 and 124.
