DHAKA, Jan 30, 2025 (BSS) - Opener Naim Sheikh credited his hard work and disciplined life behind his recent success as he rose to the fame once again by continuing a batting juggernaut with a series of match winning innings in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). 

The Khulna Tigers opener currently topped the batting chart with 444 runs from at an average of 44.40. But more than his runs, his impact was the one that was standout. He scored at a staggering strike rate of 149, a number that considered as precious in shortest format of the cricket.

He maintained his strike rate with incredible consistency, that evidenced in his one century and three half-centuries along with some impactful 40s in the ongoing event. He was indeed scoring those runs quietly but today's century headlined all the previous success as the knock came at a moment when Khulna were on the threshold of missing the playoffs chance.

Naim's century ensured Khulna's handsome 46 runs win over Rangpur Riders. 

"I have tried my best in all the tournaments I have played recently. I try to utilize the opportunities. If I break it down, it will be too long," Naim said. "I have worked in the off-season. There was perseverance, without it, you can thrive in. I have worked hard, I was disciplined and I think that paid the dividends."

A few days ago, he scored his maiden century in recognized T20 cricket in the NCL T20. This time, he scored a century for the first time in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). That too at a moment when it mattered most.

He carried the bat throughout the innings to blast 62 ball-111, a knock laced with seven fours and eight sixes. Thanks to his knock, Khulna posted a mammoth 220-4, a total that proved to be too hot to handle for Rangpur, which were eventually held back to 174-9.

Naim's arrival injected a fresh breath of air into the national team, as his elegance and consistency gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope to have settled partner for Tamim Iqbal. 

But the left-hand batter seemed to go down the memory lane, because of the chronic problem that every Bangladeshi batters go through-consistency. Like many others, he was considered a 'fallen star'. But no, Naim appeared to do the real work quietly and quietly behind the curtain.

"If I want to say it that way, I have to talk about all the coaches in domestic cricket. I have worked with Babul sir, Sohel sir. There is one named Anwar bhai. To name a specific one, I have worked on mind training, that plays a big role. Discipline is also very important. Of course, my family plays the vital role," Naim shared the story of how he got back him amongst the runs again.

There were also questions about the style of play. His tendency to play the dot balls not only ruined his prospect but also dug Bangladesh's graveyard in some crucial matches. 

The arrival of Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon and other finally cost Naim's place in national team in which he last played in 2023. 

But the problem of playing dot balls seemed to have figured out as evidenced in his strike rate.

Naim said, he has achieved success by challenging himself, "To be honest, there were no expectations. I want to keep the basics right and follow the process. I didn't start with any expectations. There was no goal, whether I could improve or not... My own challenge was with myself. I wanted to improve just."

"A change in mentality is definitely necessary. If this doesn't come, it is very difficult to play long innings as an opener. Earlier, I was struggling a lot with off-spin. I tried to figure it out to how to rotate the scoreboard without playing dot balls."

The shot range looked increased as he played sweep shots and reverse sweep, which were his weakest link, effortlessly.

"And if you talk about range hitting, I worked on it. Three years ago, Mushfiqur Rahim bhai said that if I can work on reverse sweep, it will become easier for me. Now, sweep-reverse sweep in off-spin has become much easier for me due to consistent practice," he remarked.

 "I was good at slog-sweep before, but I was struggling to play this shot. It is a long story to how I overcame those problems. But yes, I have changed some things, so success came."