A few years ago, Nihaduzzaman wasn’t a familiar name in Bangladeshi cricket. But things have changed, especially after his performances in the last three BPL seasons. Though he didn’t get to play many matches—first with Chittagong Challengers and then with Sylhet Strikers—he still made an impact. Most recently, he impressed in the Dhaka Premier League (DPL), playing for Gulshan Cricket Club.
In the DPL, Nihad mainly bowled but also contributed well with the bat. He took 22 wickets during the season and scored 260 runs, including a brilliant 82-run innings against Abahani. Despite his performance, he remains largely unnoticed in the media.
Nihad’s journey has not been easy. A severe road accident early in his career left him with a broken hand and sidelined him for a long time. But he didn’t give up. After many challenges, he has returned strong and is now making his mark again in domestic cricket. Like rain bringing life to a dry field, Nihad’s comeback is a story of resilience and hope.
Nihad was part of the 2014 Youth World Cup team. Since then, 10 of his teammates have played for the national team, but Nihad hasn’t had that chance yet. Still, he continues to work hard and follow his dream of playing for Bangladesh. After finishing the DPL, he shared his story with Dhaka Post.
He said, “I’m trying to keep performing well. Every cricketer wants to play for the national team, and I’m the same. I’ll give my best, even for my family. If I get a chance in any BCB program, that would help a lot.”
Nihad’s friends, Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan Miraz, are now well-known players in the national team. If not for a serious road accident, Nihad might have been with them too. Life is uncertain—you never know where it will take you. Even after the accident, Nihad has worked on changing his bowling action and is still fighting to return to the game. For him, life is a personal battle—a fight to keep going and chase his dream.
Nihad’s strong performance has impressed the BCB selectors too. Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain Lipu told Dhaka Post, “He’s doing well, and like others, we’re keeping an eye on him.” Now, it’s just a matter of time to see how far Nihad can go. One day, the door to his dreams may open.
