Tamim Iqbal’s Masterclass: How the BCB President Revived Najmul Hossain Shanto’s Form
A New Era of Leadership: Tamim Iqbal’s Influence Beyond the Boardroom
Bangladesh cricket is currently navigating a transformative period. With the appointment of the legendary Tamim Iqbal as the head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), the atmosphere surrounding the national team has shifted. While leadership roles in administration are often distanced from the actual play on the pitch, Tamim has proven that his passion for the game and his technical expertise remain as sharp as ever.
The first major litmus test for this new regime came during the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. In a comprehensive display of skill and determination, Bangladesh managed to get the better of the visitors on home soil, securing a hard-fought 2-1 series victory. While the team victory was the headline, the individual redemption of Najmul Hossain Shanto became the story of the series.
The Struggle: Shanto’s Battle with Form
For Najmul Hossain Shanto, the road to this series victory was fraught with difficulty. Since making his debut in 2018 as a promising 20-year-old, Shanto has established himself as a mainstay across all formats, accumulating nearly 2,000 ODI runs. However, the start of 2025 had been a nightmare for the Test captain.
The statistics paint a bleak picture of his recent struggles. In 11 innings across 2025, Shanto averaged a meager 19.70. The drought was palpable; after a solid 76 against Afghanistan in November 2024, he entered a prolonged slump, going 13 consecutive matches without recording a half-century. The pressure reached a boiling point during the New Zealand series when he started with a devastating golden duck, leaving fans and critics questioning his place in the starting XI.
The Turning Point: Silence the Critics
With the series hanging in the balance and the scrutiny intensifying, Shanto found a way to rediscover his rhythm. The turnaround began in the second ODI, where he played a composed and unbeaten knock of 50 off 71 balls, steering Bangladesh to a comfortable chase of 199.
Not content with just one good performance, Shanto delivered a masterclass in the series decider. He smashed a brilliant 105 off 119 deliveries, ensuring the series win and cementing his return to form. Despite the early duck, Shanto finished the series as the leading run-scorer with 155 runs in three innings, effectively silencing the naysayers and proving his resilience under pressure.
The Secret Weapon: One-on-One Mentorship with Tamim Iqbal
The most intriguing aspect of Shanto’s revival is the role played by the BCB President. In an interview with The Daily Star, Shanto revealed that his return to form was not an accident, but the result of targeted technical work with Tamim Iqbal.
As a fellow left-hander, Tamim provided a unique perspective that a traditional coach might lack. Shanto admitted that he had been struggling with a specific shot and viewed Tamim as the ultimate authority on the matter due to his career-long success with that particular stroke.
The Process of Improvement
- Consultation: Shanto proactively reached out to Tamim to learn from his real-life match experience.
- Technical Breakdown: Tamim explained the mechanics and the psychological approach required to execute the shot.
- Practical Application: Tamim spent two full days in the indoor nets with Shanto, providing generous time and personalized feedback.
“I invited him, and he beautifully explained the whole process to me,” Shanto noted, highlighting how these sessions provided the mental and technical clarity he desperately needed before the BPL and the subsequent international series.
Looking Ahead: Ambitions and Future Challenges
While Shanto was highly successful batting at number 4 during the New Zealand series, he has expressed a desire to return to the number 3 position. However, in a show of professionalism, he has deferred this decision to the management led by Tamim Iqbal and the captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
The momentum is currently in Bangladesh’s favor. Following the ODI success, the team also holds a lead in the T20I series after a strong opening performance in Chattogram. The ultimate goal now lies with the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan.
Bangladesh is eager to replicate their previous success in Pakistan, where they secured a dominant 2-0 series win. By winning again, the team aims to prove to the global cricket community that their previous victory was no fluke, but a sign of a rising power in red-ball cricket. Under the guidance of Tamim Iqbal, the BCB seems poised to reach new heights, blending administrative stability with a deep, technical understanding of the game.
