Shamim Hossain Patwary - New kid on the block in Bangladesh cricket

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim in 2017 thought there was something special about young Shamim Hossain Patwary after he scored 226 off 286 balls for BKSP Under-17 against West Bengal. Mushfiqur had then posted a picture of Patwary holding the bat high on his social media handle with the words: "Surely this lad will do well in future, congratulations".

Left-handed Hossain is the new kid on the block in Bangladesh's cricketing landscape and he seems to be a genuine contender for the role of a finisher in the shortest format. He is also a handy offspinner who makes his presence felt through his fielding - being considered as one of the best fielders in the circuit currently. It's no surprise, thus, that he's earned his maiden call-up to the national team, picked for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe due to begin on July 23 in Harare.

Patwary comes from Chandpur Zilla. According to childhood mentor Shamim Faroki, it was his fearless approach that set him apart from the others. "He came to our academy (Chandpur Cricket Academy) when he was 12 or 13 and one could easily identify him from others due to his fearlessness," Faroki told Cricbuzz. "The outfield of Chandpur Zilla Stadium is very uneven but even there he would dive without any kind of hesitation to save runs or take catches. At times we were worried he would injure himself."

Hossain began his cricket career by playing in the local TV tournament along with cousins at the age of 9. Even though he was young, no one could ignore his batting. The youngest among five children, he got the nod from his businessman father to continue his cricketing ambition, on the condition that it wouldn't not hamper his education.

However, his cricketing ambition reached new heights when he joined BKSP in 2015. Everything has fallen into place for him since.

The Under-19 World Cup-winning member could not showcase his mettle in the global event, unable to meet the fitness standards required. The team management even had a replacement ready, but he managed to stay back in South Africa to be a part of the historic moment of his side winning the title. While the ICC tournament didn't go as planned, he did not waste his chance when picked for the High-Performance Unit against Ireland Wolves a couple of months ago, scoring 130 runs in four innings and turning heads with an 11-ball 28 in the lone T20.

"After coming to the High-Performance Unit from the Under-19, I did realize what I need to do because though I batted at five in Under-19 in the World Cup I went to number seven and that was quite difficult for me to adjust," Hossain told Cricbuzz. "But now I am more at ease with my batting because now I have understood where I will bat and how I need to operate,'' he said.

Hossain celebrated his national team call-up with a blistering, unbeaten half-century - 52* off 30 - against Prime Bank in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League. It was his consistency in the tournament that forced the selectors to give him an opportunity.

"It's great news for me and my family. I knew before the announcement of the squad that I might get an opportunity, but it is more important to make the most of the opportunity. I have to repay the faith shown in me by the selectors," he added.