Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto is just 19 runs away from reaching 2,000 ODI runs and is poised to become the joint second-fastest Bangladeshi batter to achieve the milestone.
Shanto could reach the landmark when Bangladesh face Australia in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today (Thursday).
The left-handed batter played a crucial role in Bangladesh's historic 86-run DLS victory over Australia in the series opener on Tuesday but narrowly missed the opportunity to become the fastest Bangladeshi to reach 2,000 ODI runs.
Shanto struck a brilliant 67 off 86 deliveries, anchoring the innings after a cautious start against the new ball. His knock featured nine fours and a six and helped Bangladesh post a competitive total before securing a memorable victory.
Entering the match with 1,914 ODI runs, Shanto needed 86 runs to reach the 2,000-run mark. However, his dismissal for 67 left him on 1,981 runs after 64 ODI innings.
Had he reached the milestone in the first ODI, Shanto would have equalled the Bangladesh record for the fastest 2,000 ODI runs, currently held by Soumya Sarkar, who achieved the feat in 64 innings.
Nevertheless, Shanto remains on course to join the exclusive club in the second ODI. If he scores the required 19 runs in his 65th innings, he will become the joint second-fastest Bangladeshi batter to reach 2,000 ODI runs.
That distinction is currently shared by Shahriar Nafees and Litton Das, both of whom reached the milestone in 65 innings.
Bangladesh's highest ODI run-scorer Tamim Iqbal took 70 innings to complete 2,000 runs, while Shakib Al Hasan reached the mark in 69 innings. Both Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah required more innings.
Globally, the record for the fastest 2,000 ODI runs belongs to India captain Shubman Gill, who achieved the feat in just 38 innings, eclipsing the previous record of 41 innings held by South African great Hashim Amla. "BSS
