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Najmul Hossain Shanto is a young and talented Bangladeshi cricketer who has been making waves in the world of cricket since his debut in 2016. As a top-order batsman, he has become an important player for the Bangladeshi national team, known for his elegant left-handed strokes and high back-lift. With numerous domestic and international records to his name, Shanto is considered one of the most exciting young prospects in Bangladesh cricket today.
Born on August 25, 1998, in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, Najmul Hossain Shanto grew up with cricket being an integral part of his life from an early age. His parents were supportive of his passion for the sport, and he began playing cricket at a young age.
Shanto studied at Rajshahi Collegiate School where he struck a double-century in a one-day match at the school level. He continued playing at school and district levels before being selected to represent Bangladesh U19s at only 15 years old in the 2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Shanto's rise to prominence began with impressive performances in domestic matches for Rajshahi Division after debuting for them in 2015 during a first-class match against Rangpur Division when he scored a century. This led him to be picked by Comilla Victorians for the fourth edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in 2016 where he scored a fifty on debut.
In November 2016, Shanto was chosen for a preparatory camp held in Sydney ahead of Bangladesh's tour to New Zealand. He was added to Bangladesh's Test squad for the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch and made his debut with scores of 18 and 12.
In September 2018, Shanto made his One Day International (ODI) debut against Afghanistan. He added to his list of achievements by captaining Bangladesh's squad for the men's cricket tournament at the 2019 South Asian Games, winning the gold medal. In April 2021, he scored his first century in Test cricket against Sri Lanka followed by a second one against Zimbabwe in July 2021.
Shanto was selected for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2022, scoring the most runs (180 runs in five matches) for Bangladesh. He later became the highest run-scorer (516 runs including four fifties) and was awarded Player of the Tournament in the 2022–23 BPL, becoming the first Bangladeshi player to score more than 500 runs in a BPL season.
Shanto's career across all formats has been impressive; he has shown great potential with bat and ball. As a top-order batsman, he has proved himself on several occasions by playing some match-winning innings. In Tests, he averages 29.83 with 4 centuries and 3 half-centuries from 44 innings so far.
In ODIs, Shanto boasts an average of 24.57 with 1 century and 2 half-centuries to his name from twenty-six innings played. His highest score came versus Ireland where he scored 117.
Shanto has also impressed in domestic T20s, scoring over 2000 runs with 2 hundred and 13 fifties at an average above 25. Alongside his domestic triumphs mentioned earlier, Shanto played an important role in guiding the Bangladeshi national team to a historic T20I win over England in March 2023 by scoring 51 runs off 30 balls.
As a batsman, Shanto is known for his elegant and classical style. He possesses excellent timing with a high back-lift and has a keen eye for gaps on the field. He can play both pace and spin well, making him an asset to the team in all formats of cricket. As he continues to develop his skills, Shanto will undoubtedly become one of Bangladesh's most valuable players.
Najmul Hossain Shanto has been a regular face in Bangladesh's cricket team for quite some time now. He has played a crucial role in the team's success in many ICC tournaments and series. In the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, he scored the most runs for Bangladesh, which helped them reach the Super 12 stage of the tournament. He also played an instrumental role in helping his team win their first-ever T20I against England.
Shanto has also been a part of many domestic and international leagues. He made his Twenty20 debut playing for Comilla Victorians in the 2016–17 Bangladesh Premier League, scoring a fifty in his debut game. He was named in Khulna Titans' squad for the 2018–19 Bangladesh Premier League and was later selected to play for Khulna Tigers in the 2019–20 season. In the 2020-21 Bangabandhu T20 Cup, he scored an impressive century playing for Minister Group Rajshahi against Fortune Barishal, which helped him secure his place in Sylhet Strikers' squad for the upcoming BPL.
In addition to these accomplishments, Shanto has also represented Bangladesh at various ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cups and South Asian Games, winning several gold medals throughout his career.
As a top-order batsman, Najmul Hossain Shanto stands out with his elegant left-handed batting style that exhibits a high back-lift technique. His primary role is to hold up one end of the batting line-up while scoring quickly when required. Despite being relatively new to international cricket, he has already shown immense potential as a consistent performer with an excellent shot selection.
Shanto's off-side play has been his go-to strength, with him dispatching bowlers through the covers and point region with ease. To complement that, he has added a range of strokes down the ground to his repertoire.
Najmul Hossain Shanto comes across as a grounded individual who lets his performances speak for themselves on the field. Despite being relatively new to international cricket, he has already taken up leadership roles in different tournaments, including captaincy for Bangladesh in the South Asian Games where he led his team to victory.
Off the pitch, not much is known about Shanto's personal life or interests. However, it is widely known that he keeps himself fit by following a strict fitness regimen and diet plan.
Shanto is known for his calm temperament on and off the field, which makes him an ideal role model for young players. His dedication and hard work have helped him become one of Bangladesh's most promising young talents.
Najmul Hossain Shanto has received several awards throughout his career, recognizing his outstanding achievements on the cricket field. In addition to being named player of the tournament at the 2022–23 Bangladesh Premier League, he was also named Bangladesh's captain for both men's cricket tournaments at the 2019 South Asian Games and ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
In addition to these accolades, Shante was instrumental in helping Bangladesh secure their historic first T20I win against England by scoring 51 runs off 30 balls. He also became only the second Bangladeshi cricketer to score two centuries in a Test match when he made 146 and 124 against Afghanistan in June 2023.
Najmul Hossain Shanto is a rising star in Bangladesh's cricket scene. He has worked hard to reach where he is today and has become an inspiration to aspiring cricketers across the country.
From his debut for the national team to becoming one of the highest run-scorers in domestic Twenty20 matches, Shanto's journey has been remarkable so far. His elegant playing style and calm demeanour on and off the field have made him a fan favourite.
As he continues to grow as a player, there is no doubt that he will continue to make headlines and inspire future generations of cricketers in Bangladesh and beyond.
Q1. What is Najmul Hossain's high score in international cricket?
A: Najmul Hossain Shanto's high score in international cricket is 163 in a test match against Sri Lanka in 2021.
Q2. Has Najmul Hossain Shanto scored any centuries in international cricket?
A: Yes, Najmul Hossain Shanto has scored five centuries in international cricket – the first against Sri Lanka in April 2021.
Q3. How many runs has Najmul scored in international cricket since his debut in 2017?
A: He has scored 2488 runs across the 3 formats in international cricket since his debut.
Q4. Has Najmul Hossain Shanto ever captained a team?
A: Yes, Najmul Hossain Shanto was named captain for both men's cricket tournaments at the 2019 South Asian Games and ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
Q5. What are some of Najmul Hossain Shanto's recent achievements?
A: Some of Najmul Hossain Shanto's recent achievements include earning the Player of the Tournament award at the 2022–23 Bangladesh Premier League, scoring his maiden half-century in T20I cricket against Zimbabwe in October 2022, and becoming the second Bangladeshi cricketer to score two centuries in a Test match.
