For years, Shadman Islam has carried the tag of a “Test specialist”. So much so that in the last five editions of the Bangladesh Premier League, he did not find a single team willing to take a chance on him. But on Saturday afternoon in Dhaka, the left-hander rewrote his own T20 story.
Playing for Dhaka Metro, Shadman produced a sensational innings against Barishal Division, smashing 101 runs off 59 balls, the first century of the 2025 National Cricket League T20. It was also his maiden century in recognised T20 cricket. Before this match, his highest score in the format had been a modest 54.
Since making his international debut in 2018, Shadman has been a regular name in Bangladesh’s Test side, featuring in 24 matches. In the domestic circuit, he has built his reputation through patience and consistency in the longer formats, having played 94 first-class games and 91 List-A matches. His T20 career, however, had always been on the quieter side, with just 20 appearances to his name.
This season, the 30-year-old appears to be rediscovering his attacking rhythm. Earlier in the week, he struck 49 off 32 balls against Sylhet Division, showing signs that something special was coming. Against Barishal, he followed it up in grand fashion. Shadman reached his fifty comfortably before accelerating to three figures, bringing up his century off the second ball of the 19th over. Facing Ruel Miah, he nudged the delivery toward square leg and sprinted back for two raising his bat as teammates and fans applauded the moment.
His innings, laced with 11 fours and 4 sixes, was the third century across two editions of the NCL T20. The previous two came last year from Anamul Haque (101 for Khulna against Dhaka) and Zishan Alam (100 for Sylhet against Dhaka). Before today, the highest individual score in this season’s competition was 94 by Rajshahi’s Habibur Rahman against Khulna.
After reaching the milestone, Shadman’s innings ended soon after. He fell for 101 off 61 balls, caught by Sheikh Antor off Iftikhar Hossain’s bowling. Still, his effort powered Dhaka Metro to an imposing total of 197 for six in their 20 overs.
Barishal’s chase never got going. They collapsed for just 101 runs in 17.5 overs, giving Dhaka a commanding 96-run victory. The win lifted Dhaka Metro to third place on the points table with seven points. Barishal, with only one point from six matches, remain rooted to the bottom.
