Shadhin Islam, leg-spinner of the U-19 national cricket team. Photo : BSS

LALMONIRHAT, July 16, 2025 (BSS)- Shadhin Islam, leg-spinner of the U-19 national cricket team, currently touring South Africa to play an Under-19 cricket tournament, showed his class in the first match.

In the first match at the Benoni Stadium in Johannesburg held on July 14 last, Shadhin grabbed six wickets conceding only ten runs, including two maidens, in 5.4 overs.

The Under-19 national cricket team, led by captain Md. Tamim, earlier left Dhaka for South Africa on July 11 last. They will stay there from July 12 to July 24 to play a three-match ODI series. After the tournament, Shadhin will be on an 18-day tour in Zimbabwe to play another Under-19 cricket tournament.

Shadhin Islam, who comes from a lower-middle-class family in a remote village in Lalmonirhat, was more focused on cricket than his studies since childhood. No batsman could stand against his leg-spin googly deliveries. After practicing at the local Duronto Cricket Academy and playing in various cricket leagues in the village, Shadhin Islam has now become a reliable leg-spin googly bowler for the national U-19 team.

In an interview with BSS over phone, leg-spinner Shadhin Islam said that he has reached this stage through a lot of barriers. After getting a chance in the national U-19 team, his senior brothers always supported him while playing in the premier league.

When asked why he opted to become a leg-spinner, Shadhin Islam said that he was inspired to become a leg-spinner following his idol, former national team captain Shakib Al Hasan.

He also said he would give his best for the country in the Under-19 cricket tournament.

Leg-spinner Shadhin Islam's childhood Duronto Cricket Academy coach and director Md. Omar Faruk said Shadhin Islam used to work hard since his childhood. "He is a very sincere and hard-working cricketer. He is now playing for the national team at the district division level, which is a great achievement for our cricket academy," he said.

Shadhin Islam's father, farmer Md. Majmul Haque, said that he is very happy that his eldest son, Md. Shadhin Islam, is participating in the U-19 tournament in South Africa.

He hoped that his son would be the best cricketer in the country one day and also sought blessings from everyone for his son.

After playing three ODIs at the Benoni Stadium in Johannesburg, the national U-19 team will travel to Zimbabwe on July 24 for an 18-day tour to play seven ODI matches, including the final.