Tamim Iqbal’s Mentorship Sparks Najmul Hossain Shanto’s ODI Revival
A New Era and a Stunning Recovery
The landscape of Bangladesh cricket is undergoing a significant transformation. In the first major series since Tamim Iqbal assumed leadership as the head of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) during a period of considerable turbulence, the national team has delivered a statement of intent. Facing a formidable New Zealand side in a three-match ODI series, Bangladesh didn’t just compete—they comprehensively got the better of the visitors on home soil, securing a hard-fought 2-1 series victory.
While the team victory was a collective effort, the individual narrative of the series belonged to Najmul Hossain Shanto. The experienced campaigner, who also carries the responsibility of being the Test captain, was the cornerstone of the series win. However, his success was not guaranteed, coming after a period of professional struggle that had left many questioning his place in the starting eleven.
The Depth of the Slump: Shanto’s 2025 Struggle
For a batter of Shanto’s caliber, the start of 2025 was nothing short of a nightmare. Having established himself as a mainstay across all formats since his debut as a 20-year-old in 2018, Shanto had built a reputation for reliability, racking up nearly 2,000 ODI runs. But that reliability vanished over the last year.
Since scoring a valiant 76 (119) against Afghanistan in November 2024, Shanto entered a prolonged drought. The statistics paint a bleak picture: across 11 innings in 2025, he managed a dismal average of just 19.70. The psychological toll of such a slump was evident, as he endured a 13-match run without a single half-century. The nadir of this slump came at the start of the New Zealand series at home, where Shanto was dismissed for a golden duck, fueling the fire of his critics and raising serious doubts about his form.
The Turning Point: From Zero to Hero
With the series on the line and the pressure mounting, Shanto displayed the resilience that defines a captain. In the second ODI, he anchored the innings with an unbeaten 50 off 71 balls, guiding Bangladesh to a comfortable chase of 199. He didn’t stop there. In the high-stakes series decider, Shanto played the innings of his recent career, smashing a magnificent 105 off 119 deliveries.
By the end of the series, Shanto had effectively silenced the naysayers. Despite the early duck, he finished as the leading run-scorer of the series with 155 runs across three innings. It was a return to form that felt not just like a streak of luck, but a calculated recovery.
The ‘Tamim Factor’: Technical Guidance and Mentorship
Following the series, Shanto revealed the catalyst behind his revival in an interview with The Daily Star. He credited the former captain and current BCB President, Tamim Iqbal, for his return to peak performance. The connection was natural; as a fellow left-hander, Iqbal possessed the specific technical knowledge Shanto desperately needed.
Shanto explained that he had been struggling with a specific shot and believed Tamim was the ideal person to consult given his legendary success with that particular stroke throughout his career. “I wanted to learn from his real-life experience and understand how he executed it,” Shanto noted.
The mentorship was intensive. Tamim didn’t just provide verbal advice; he spent two full days with Shanto in indoor sessions, meticulously breaking down the process. This generosity of time and expertise allowed Shanto to refine his technique and regain the confidence necessary to dominate the New Zealand attack.
Looking Ahead: Ambitions and Future Challenges
Despite his success batting at number 4 during the series, Shanto has expressed a desire to return to the number 3 spot. However, showing professional humility, he has left that tactical decision to the BCB management under Tamim Iqbal and the current captain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
The momentum is clearly with Bangladesh. After the ODI success, they currently lead the T20I series following a strong opening match in Chattogram. The ultimate test, however, looms on the horizon: a two-match Test series against Pakistan.
This upcoming clash is more than just a series; it is a chance for redemption and validation. The last time these two nations met in a Test series in Pakistan, Bangladesh secured a dominant 2-0 victory. As they prepare to face Pakistan once more, the team is determined to prove to the cricketing world that their previous success was no fluke, but a sign of a rising powerhouse under the new leadership of Tamim Iqbal.
