Five years on from Bangladesh’s historic Under-19 World Cup triumph in 2020, Shahin Alam now finds himself in a very different place, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board moving to offer support as he battles long-term injury problems and serious family hardship.
Shahin was part of the squad that delivered Bangladesh their first-ever ICC title, a landmark moment in the country’s cricketing history. While several of his teammates progressed beyond youth cricket, his own career stalled at the High Performance level, held back by repeated injuries and circumstances beyond the field.
A prolonged struggle with fitness kept him out of competitive cricket for nearly two years. Although he recently returned in the Dhaka Premier League, he featured in only three matches, unable to regain rhythm or continuity. Alongside his injury troubles, the illness of both his parents has placed Shahin and his family under severe financial pressure.
His hopes of playing in the ongoing First Division Cricket League were also dashed after a number of clubs boycotted the competition, leaving him without a team and further limiting his opportunities to restart his career.
Despite the setbacks, support has begun to emerge. Former Bangladesh football captain Aminul Haque has already extended help, while the BCB has confirmed it is aware of Shahin’s situation. In addition, an initiative led by his former Under-19 captain Akbar Ali is being organised, with several members of the World Cup-winning squad coming together to support their former teammate.
“BCB has contacted me and asked about my situation,” Shahin said on Wednesday. “Fahim sir called and assured me they would stand by me. Tanzid Tamim bhai also said everyone is trying to support me together.”
Nazmul Abedin Fahim, chairman of the BCB’s cricket operations committee, confirmed the board’s position. “We have come to know about Shahin’s situation,” he said. “We will try to support him, and at the same time, our aim is to see how he can be brought back into cricket.”
For a player who once stood on the podium as a world champion, the path forward remains uncertain. But after years defined by injury and hardship, Shahin Alam is no longer facing that journey alone.
