Shahriar Nafees Ahmed

Shahriar Nafees (born 1 May 1985) is an international cricketer who has captained Bangladesh in their first-ever T20 international. The stylish left-handed batsman still holds the milestone of being the only batsman from the country to score more than a thousand ODI runs in a calendar year. Shahriar retired from professional cricket in 2021. Now he is In-Charge, of Cricket Operations, at Bangladesh Cricket Board.   

After showing promise in domestic cricket, he made his international debut in 2005. He has so far played 24 Tests, 75 ODIs, and the solitary T20I, with five centuries in all formats. Shahriar came into the limelight with a superb 138 against Australia in the home Test match in 2006, tackling the best bowling attack in the world with aplomb.  

2006 was his best time at the top level: Shahriar reached 1,033 runs in ODIs with three centuries and four fifties. For his breakthrough performances, he was nominated for the ICC's Emerging Player of the Year award, BCB's cricketer, batsman of the year, the Prothom Alo Sportsperson of the Year, and BSPA's Best Cricketer award. 

He holds several domestic milestones, including being the first Bangladeshi to score a T20 century and part of the first opening stand to bat the entire 20 overs in a T20 when he added 197 unbroken runs with Lou Vincent in 2013. He also holds the record for most runs in a first-class match by a Bangladeshi batter.  

Cricket isn't Shahriar's only calling. He has a stellar educational background, having studied in arguably Dhaka's best institutions. He completed his schooling at St Joseph's High School before joining the prestigious Notre Dame College. He then completed his BBA from The University of Dhaka's marketing department. In 2010, Shahriar was awarded the prestigious "University Blue" by the University of Dhaka for his academic excellence and outstanding sportsmanship.   

Shahriar is an inspiration for millions of kids in Bangladesh who want to bat like him and balance studies with a sporting career, one of the most unusual feats in the country.