Naeem Islam dedicates 11,000-run milestone to his father

It has been years since Naeem Islam last appeared in Bangladesh’s national colors — his last Test came in 2012, and his final ODI in 2014. Yet, despite the long absence, Naeem has continued to shine in domestic cricket, showcasing his consistency and perseverance to etch his name in the record books once again.

On Sunday, at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium (Outer Ground), Naeem scored his 34th first-class century while playing for Rangpur Division against Dhaka in the National Cricket League (NCL). With that innings, he became only the second batter in Bangladesh’s first-class cricket history to reach the 11,000-run milestone.

Starting the day on 10,953 runs, Naeem crossed the 11,000-run mark before reaching his fifty, then went on to complete a magnificent century. He ended the day unbeaten on 111 off 222 balls, hitting 16 fours. Thanks to his efforts, Rangpur Division finished day two at 308 for 8, taking an 87-run lead over Dhaka.

Earlier, Dhaka Division were bowled out for 221, with Marshall Ayub scoring a team-high 105 runs.

For Naeem, the milestone carried deep personal emotion. Speaking to the media after the day’s play, he said,

“I want to dedicate these 11,000 runs to my father. He always dreamed of seeing me become a top player for the national team. Maybe I couldn’t reach that level, but my father’s and my family’s constant support brought me this far.”

In 2023, Naeem surpassed Tushar Imran’s record of 32 centuries to become the player with the most hundreds in Bangladesh’s first-class cricket. Now, he joins Tushar again — this time in the exclusive 11,000-run club.

Through years of steady performances in domestic cricket, Naeem Islam continues to prove that hard work never goes unrewarded. His batting career now stands not only as a tale of runs but as a true testament to dedication and perseverance.