Nafees named Bangladesh's cricketer of the year

Shahriar Nafees, the Bangladesh opener, has been named his country's cricketer of the year. Nafees, recently appointed vice-captain of Bangladesh, received the award at a function hosted by the Bangladesh Cricket Board on Wednesday.

Nafees, 20, also won the best batsman award for his good performances in both forms of the game over the past year. "I am really excited to have got the award," he told reporters after receiving a trophy and US $2,000. "I hope this is just a beginning."

Among the highlights of his brief career were a memorable Test hundred at home in April and Bangladesh's highest one-score, an unbeaten 118 against Zimbabwe last month. Nafees has also been nominated in the Emerging Player of the Year category of next month's ICC awards.

Mohammad Rafique, the veteran left-arm spinner, was named best bowler and best allrounder. Saqibul Hasan, the left-hand batsman, bagged the award for the top emerging player. Mehrab Hossain jnr, the rookie batsman also included in Bangladesh's Champions Trophy squad, was awarded the Young Tiger award.