Abdul Gaffar Saqlain

Abdul Gaffar Saqlain has rapidly emerged as one of the most intriguing 'finds' in Bangladesh’s domestic circuit, uniquely rising through the ranks without having played age-group representative cricket. A right-arm medium bowler with sharp tactical awareness, he first gained widespread attention after a breakthrough performance in the 2025 Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, where he helped Bangladesh A reach the final. His ability to strike early—highlighted by taking the wicket of Tamim Iqbal on his List A debut—earned him a significant BDT 44 lakh contract with the Rajshahi Warriors for the 2026 BPL season. With 37 List A wickets and a career-best 4/24, Saqlain has proven himself as a high-impact player capable of dismantling top-order lineups.

The 2026 season has served as a watershed moment for Saqlain, culminating in his maiden national call-up for the T20I series against New Zealand in April. His domestic form leading into this milestone was exceptional, characterized by a clinical 4/24 in the BPL against Dhaka Capitals and an impressive three-wicket haul in the Bangladesh T20 Cup for Duronto XI. Beyond his primary role with the ball, he has showcased valuable lower-order batting utility, maintaining a T20 strike rate of over 135 and a first-class high score of 45. As he begins his international journey at 28 years old, Saqlain’s unconventional path from tape-tennis roots to the national squad highlights a resilient and high-IQ cricketer poised to bolster Bangladesh’s multi-format bowling depth.