Shadman Islam Anik

Shadman completed his higher education at the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB). He was part of the university's sports scholarship program, which has supported many of Bangladesh's top international cricketers. His academic background has often been reflected in his articulate and thoughtful approach to the game.

Shadman Islam first made global headlines during the 2014 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 406 runs at an incredible average of 101.50. This performance set the stage for a highly anticipated professional career. He spent several years dominating the domestic first-class scene for Dhaka Metropolis and Central Zone. In the 2018-19 National Cricket League, he was the leading run-scorer with 648 runs, which finally earned him his Test debut against the West Indies on November 30, 2018. He made an immediate impact by scoring 76 runs in his first outing.

His maiden Test century came in July 2021 against Zimbabwe in Harare, where he scored an unbeaten 115 to guide Bangladesh to a victory. However, the subsequent years were challenging as he struggled with form and consistency, leading to his temporary exclusion from the national squad. He used this time to return to domestic cricket, where he continued to pile on runs, eventually leading the run charts in the Bangladesh Cricket League and the Dhaka Premier League. His perseverance paid off in 2024 when he was recalled for the tour of Pakistan, playing a crucial role in Bangladesh's historic 2-0 series win.

2025 and 2026 have seen a second peak in Shadman's career. On April 29, 2025, he scored his second Test century, a magnificent 120 against Zimbabwe in Chittagong. He also achieved the distinction of becoming the first Bangladeshi opener to score a Test fifty on Indian soil during the 2024 series. By early 2026, he remains a vital part of the Test squad, recently performing strongly in home series against Ireland and Sri Lanka, including a series-defining 80 in Sylhet in November 2025.

Shadman comes from a family with deep roots in cricket; his father, Shahidul Islam, was a prominent cricketer at the school level and has been a major influence on his development. Shadman often credits his father for teaching him the importance of defensive technique and mental toughness. He was raised in Dhaka, where he attended local schools before moving into the national sports academy system.

In July 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shadman married Nasha Walid in an intimate ceremony. Nasha was a student of Computer Science and Engineering at North South University. The couple is known for maintaining a relatively low profile, though Shadman occasionally shares glimpses of their life on social media. His marriage is often cited as a stabilizing force that helped him during his professional comeback in 2024.

His hobbies include reading and staying active through various sports like football during the off-season. He is also known for his calm and composed nature, both on and off the field, which has made him a respected figure in the dressing room. Shadman is involved in local charitable initiatives that support young cricketers from underprivileged backgrounds, providing them with gear and training opportunities in Dhaka.