Ariful Islam stands out as one of the brightest products of Bangladesh’s age-group pipeline. A two-time Under-19 World Cup campaigner with four youth international centuries, he has long been marked as a player of serious promise.
The transition to the senior national side, however, remains a work in progress. Calm and measured in his outlook, Ariful is content to build his career step by step, trusting the process rather than rushing the destination.
His 2025–26 BPL debut for Sylhet Titans highlighted his promise, as his mix of inventive stroke-play and solid technique drew attention. Sharing the dressing room with Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes, he gained valuable insights into mindset and preparation.
Now, as he prepares to represent Central Zone in the upcoming BCL One-Day tournament, Ariful opens up to the Daily Times of Bangladesh about his ambitions, development and the road that lies ahead.
In the recently concluded Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup you played, we saw a noticeable change in your batting. You were playing a lot of improvised shots while also maintaining proper batting grammar. How did you manage to balance the two?
The balance actually comes naturally. It depends on what the situation demands. If the situation requires quick runs, I try to play improvised shots or attempt something unique. But when the team needs me to stay at the wicket and play normally, then playing proper cricket becomes important. At that time, you can’t really try too many improvised shots. You have to play safely and as straight as possible. So in my opinion, if you adapt according to what the situation demands, the balance happens automatically.
I still remember one of your shots in the Odommo Cup, you moved away and hit a full-length ball from Saifuddin with great power over square leg. It takes a lot of skill and power to execute that kind of shot. Have you been working on any specific skill for that?
Honestly, I haven’t worked on any specific skill for that. To be truthful, even my current T20 stance developed during a match in the BPL. When I was facing a particular ball, I felt my previous stance was a bit difficult to manage. So I instantly changed my stance in the middle of the innings.
Later I practiced with the new stance. Sometimes these changes just happen. I don’t really know how it all comes together, but if you stay focused, by Allah’s grace things fall into place.
Now coming to the BPL, this was your debut season and you played four matches. How was the overall experience?
Alhamdulillah, the experience was good. I really enjoyed playing BPL matches. I’m happy with how I started in each game. In almost every match, except the first one, I had to bat in the first or second over. Only in the first match I came in after the sixth over.
In T20 cricket, I prefer batting early, especially in the powerplay. Sometimes you only get two or three balls to assess the conditions. If an early wicket falls, you have to handle pressure and still rotate the strike and score runs. I enjoy playing under pressure, Alhamdulillah.
In every innings, I got good starts, but I couldn’t convert them into big scores. I had opportunities to score 50, 60, even 70, but I couldn’t finish those innings. I’ve learned from that and, InshaAllah, I won’t make the same mistake next time. Overall, I’m happy.
The day before your BPL debut in Sylhet, you were practicing alone in the outdoor nets. It was probably optional practice, yet you came two hours early. Where does that urge to do something extra come from?
I try to get extra batting whenever I can. Honestly, we don’t have that many quality practice facilities. Even before the BPL, it’s not easy to arrange proper practice. Now that I’m at home, I don’t really have proper opportunities to practice either. In many stadiums or districts, you don’t always have good wickets or proper facilities.
So whenever there’s a match coming up, I try to go one or two days early, or at least a couple of hours before others, just to fine-tune my shots. That’s it.
This BPL season you shared the dressing room with many local and international cricketers. As a batter and as a cricketer, how has this experience shaped you?
It feels great. There were players like Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes players who have been part of World Cup-winning squads. I liked their mindset. The way they think and how relaxed they stay is something I’ve learned from them.
Even when they play badly, they try to stay calm. Once a bad innings is done, it’s done — they don’t carry it forward. I think learning these things will help me in the future, InshaAllah.
Did you have any specific conversations with Moeen Ali about match situations or technique?
Moeen bhai told me to enjoy the game and focus on practicing the shots I naturally play. He said I should practice hitting the ball harder and more frequently, and not to abandon my attacking shots.
Actually, they understand the value of these shots. But not everyone understands them. Modern cricket has progressed to a point where if you don’t play these shots, you’ll get stuck. He liked that I could play those shots so easily. He said he would help me with practice drills and share ideas over the phone. Let’s see, InshaAllah.
Did you speak to him after that?
Yes, after he went back to England, I sent him a couple of messages. He said he would send me some practice ideas.
During the BPL in Sylhet, the crowd really seemed to like you after that 38 or 41-run innings. On social media, many were even questioning why Miraz was batting higher when Ariful was available. How do you see that kind of reaction?
Honestly, my main focus is contributing to the team, no matter where I bat. Whether someone goes ahead of me or I bat in someone else’s place, I don’t think about that. Wherever I’m given the opportunity, I need to make the most of it. I don’t get too many chances, so I have to utilize the ones I get.
You played two Under-19 World Cups, you scored four centuries. Many from your batch are in the High Performance squad or the A team, but no one has firmly established themselves in the national team yet. Your goal is definitely the national team, right?
Of course. If you talk about goals, the national team is the first step. I have to play for the national team, that’s the primary target. And of course, the ultimate goal is much bigger. If Allah helps and makes it easier, InshaAllah I’ll reach there. But the first step is definitely the national team.
You’ll be playing for Central Zone in the upcoming BCL One Day. It’s a short tournament, but do you have any specific goals?
It’s a small tournament, but for young players like us, it’s an opportunity. I’ll try to enjoy my cricket without pressure. There are only three matches, no need to take too much pressure.
If it were a longer tournament with eight or ten matches, then maybe I’d aim to be the highest run-scorer or score big hundreds,100, 150, something big. But in three matches, there’s no need to force anything. I’ll try to play my natural game and give proper effort for the team, both with bat and ball. The rest is in Allah’s hands.
Since you’re at home now and there’s no match at the moment, how are you spending your time?
Honestly, I don’t get to practice much at home. I do running and gym work, but not much batting. Sometimes I practice on a concrete surface at our Eidgah ground, just some knocking. But it’s difficult because there aren’t many people to help. In my area, not many play cricket. If I go to the district level, maybe I can find players, but in my local area, cricket isn’t very active.
