Najmul Hossain Shanto

A classic left-handed opener with a touch of finesse, Najmul Hossain, also known as Shanto, plays professional cricket for the Bangladesh national team. Shanto grabbed the attention of scouts during his schooling days when he scored a double century in a school one-day match, instantly earning him a spot in the U-17 Bangladesh cricket team. 

He made his first-class debut playing for the North Zone against the East Zone on May 7, 2015. The batter was selected in the U-19 squad for the 2014 ICC Cricket World Cup at the age of 15, and in 2016, he played another U-19 World Cup.

After a disappointing 2016 U-19 World Cup, he made his maiden T20 domestic appearance playing for Comilla Victorians in the 2016-17 Bangladesh Premier League. In December 2017, Najmul made a historic opening partnership with Mizanur Rahman in a domestic first-class match playing for Rajshahi Division. His dominance in longer formats showed prominence in the 2017-18 Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League, where he was the leading run-scorer with 749 runs in 16 matches.

After a surreal domestic season, he was added to Bangladesh's Test squad ahead of the second Test against New Zealand and made his debut on January 20, 2017; however, it was a disappointing one. 

In the following year, Shanto played his maiden ODI match against Afghanistan on September 20, 2018. The match was a horrific one, as Bangladesh lost the game by 136 runs against an inexperienced Afghanistan team. After a month, he was named captain of the Bangladesh squad for the 2019 South Asian Games, where Bangladesh won the gold medal after beating Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the final.

Failing to make proper use of the opportunities presented to him, he was dropped from the squad multiple times to work on his consistency and enhance his skills in the domestic circuit. Still a young prodigy, Najmul has already broken into the Bangladesh squad in all three formats. Backed up by the national selectors, Shanto secured his spot in a crumbling Bangladesh Team and made a name for himself with the bat.

In April 2023, in the first Test match against Sri Lanka, Najmul Hossain Shanto delivered a remarkable performance by scoring his maiden Test century. He amassed 163 runs off 378 balls, significantly contributing to Bangladesh's first-innings total of 541/7 declared. His partnership with Captain Mominul Haque, who scored 127 runs, was instrumental in establishing a solid foundation for the team. This innings not only marked Shanto's arrival on the international stage but also set the record for the second-highest maiden Test century by a Bangladesh batsman, following Mominul's 181.

Continuing his impressive form, in July 2021, during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club, Shanto recorded his second Test century. He scored an unbeaten 117 runs, leading Bangladesh to declare their second innings at 284/1, setting a formidable target for Zimbabwe.

On October 30, 2022, during a crucial group-stage match against Zimbabwe at the Gabba in Brisbane, Shanto delivered a standout performance. Opening the batting, he scored his maiden T20 International half-century, amassing 71 runs off 55 balls. Throughout the tournament, Shanto emerged as Bangladesh's highest run-scorer, accumulating a total of 180 runs. This tally included another significant innings against Pakistan, where he notched a fifty, further underscoring his consistency and importance to the team's batting lineup. Reflecting on his performances, Shanto identified the 2022 T20 World Cup as a turning point in his career, noting that his dedicated training and improved skills translated into on-field success, bolstering his confidence for future challenges.

In June 2023, during the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Dhaka, Shanto showcased exceptional form by scoring centuries in both innings. He made 146 runs in the first innings and followed up with 124 runs in the second. This achievement made him only the second Bangladeshi to score two centuries in a single Test match, significantly contributing to Bangladesh's 546-run victory, their largest margin in Test cricket.

Later that year, in the first Test against New Zealand at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Shanto continued his impressive run by scoring his fifth Test century. His performance was crucial in setting a challenging target for New Zealand, ultimately leading to Bangladesh's 150-run victory.

In February 2024, the Bangladesh Cricket Board appointed Najmul Hossain Shanto as captain of the national team across all three formats. This decision was influenced by uncertainties surrounding former captain Shakib Al Hasan's availability due to health concerns.

In June 2024, Shanto led Bangladesh in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup held in the West Indies and the USA. Under his captaincy, the team aimed to make a significant impact on the global stage, but they lost to Afghanistan in the Super 8s. 

In December 2024, Shanto stepped down as Bangladesh's T20I captain but continued to lead the team in Tests and ODIs. This decision was confirmed by BCB President Faruque Ahmed, who stated that Shanto would remain at the helm for the longer formats.

(As of March 2025)