Whenever Bangladesh plays on TV, children around the country swing invisible bats, dreaming of wearing the red-and-green jersey, helmet on, gloves tight, and the crowd roaring after a six.

Cricket, for Bangladeshi children, is never just a game. It is a dream.

Yet, while most of us remained limited to our neighbourhood grounds, only a few managed to travel beyond those boundaries.
We spoke with Mainul Islam Shawon, a cricketer who has gone beyond the narrow alleyways. As a first-division cricketer, his story reflects the resilience behind the dream.

The boyhood dream

Shawon’s story begins in 2012. There was no academy, no coach, and no equipment. Just a field near his house.

“From childhood, I was addicted to cricket. I used to watch my brothers play and felt happiness inside the game,” he said.

The field in front of his house, Sonali Field in Mohammadpur, was mostly used for casual tape-tennis cricket. One day, a senior player from the area, who studied at BKSP, started professional practice there. That changed everything.

“He asked me why I didn’t practise. I told him my family wouldn’t allow it. He said that he would talk to them.”

That simple conversation opened a door Shawon never thought possible. With the senior player’s encouragement, his family slowly began to understand that cricket was more than just a hobby for him; it was a serious ambition.

On the first day of practice, Shawon did not even have the basic necessities. “I had no shoes, no bat, no ball. I only had the desire to play.”

For parents, cricket is not usually something they would naturally encourage their children to pursue as a career. For Shawon, at first, he did not share his full motive behind starting practice with his family. Later, when he finally spoke to his father, the response was quiet but positive.

“When I told my father, he didn’t react badly. That’s when I understood he supported me.”

With regular practice, Shawon’s talent began to show. His timing improved, his confidence grew, and his shots became more controlled.

In a trial match, he delivered a performance that caught everyone’s attention, and he began practising regularly.

“I hit many sixes and fours in that fateful match. The same day, they moved me to a higher group.”

His first proper tests came through club cricket. The club took him to a tournament in Khilgaon. It was the first tournament of his life. After the matches, people around him began to notice his potential. Coaches and senior players advised him to seek better training environments and facilities.

The pipeline

In Bangladesh, the road to professional cricket usually passes through institutions like BKSP, along with club and district teams.

In 2016, Shawon earned admission to BKSP and was sent to Dinajpur. Life there was disciplined and demanding. He studied there until class eight while training daily and playing in official tournaments.

His performances eventually led to an opportunity with the Sirajganj district team. But even that moment came with challenges.

“I couldn’t play the first match because my transfer certificate didn’t arrive.”

Administrative delays almost cost him his debut. However, when he finally stepped onto the field in the next match, he made sure his presence was felt.

“I scored around 64 runs. That match is very memorable for me.”

That innings became a reminder that patience often pays off. As Shawon climbed higher, the competition became fiercer. Every match was filled with players who were equally talented, equally determined, and equally hungry for success.

“Now there are thousands of talented cricketers,” he explained. “You must think that at least ten players are working harder behind you.”

In such an environment, age-level cricket plays a crucial role. Strong performances at the youth level can fast-track a player’s career.

“Those who perform well at age-level move up faster. If you miss that time, competition becomes very difficult.”

To increase his value as a player, Shawon worked on becoming an all-rounder. He trained both his batting and bowling, learning to contribute in multiple ways.

“My coach said, if bowling doesn’t work one day, show it with batting.”

That mindset helped him stay relevant in a competitive system.

In 2019, he reached first-division cricket, a moment that symbolised years of effort.

“I felt very proud of myself.”

At this level, the game felt different. Matches were no longer just about skill; they were about endurance, focus, and consistency.

“First-class cricket is about pressure and consistency.”

Behind the scenes, cricket became as much a mental battle as a physical one.

The never-ending struggles

One of the most difficult phases came when he was not selected for the national camp despite strong performances. “That time was very difficult.”

Then came the injury. During the Dhaka League, his bowling shoulder was dislocated, forcing him into a long recovery period. Injuries also ruin many cricketing careers.

“I had to take a long rest and do rehab to come back.” The financial burden of professional cricket also weighed heavily.

“A good bat costs a lot now. Shoes are also expensive. If a player is not financially strong, cricket becomes very hard.” Alongside training, Shawon had to continue his education, balancing academic responsibilities with daily practice.

“You have to manage your studies with cricket.” And home never feels like home. “I stayed away from home for many days. I missed family programmes. I couldn’t even attend my sister’s wedding.”

Through every setback, Shawon found guidance in his coaches and senior players. One piece of advice stayed with him.

“Don’t lose before you lose. Don’t win before you win. Fix your target and work for it.”

Today, his focus remains simple and disciplined.

“There is no alternative to good performance.”