World record: Bihar lad Sakibul Gani hits 341 on debut in Ranji Trophy | Cricket News – Times of India

Shakibul is the youngest of six children in the family. His mother, Asma Khatoon, told TOI she gifted him three new bats before he left home for Kolkata earlier this week. He said: “Amma, nazar utaar deen (bless these bats),” which Asma promptly did with a wisp of mustard seed smoke. The 341 was hit with one of these bats.
Motihari is now abuzz with the laurels of Gani who has emerged as a hero despite a largely non-existent cricketing infrastructure in Bihar, carrying with him a tale of perseverance and family support in the face of odds.
“Shakib’s elder brother Faisal too would have also played First Class cricket if the Bihar Cricket Association had not lost recognition,” said Khatoon when TOI caught up with the proud family.

Shakibul is the youngest of six siblings in the family which lives in the Agarwa locality in Motihari. The Gani home is decorated with trophies and medallions. Shakibul’s father Mohammad Mannan Gani, who runs a sports goods shop close to the Badi Masjid near Meena Bazar, echoed his wife’s sentiments: “Faisal has been Shakib’s mentor.”
Faisal, a bowling allrounder who played for Bihar in Under-19, Cooch Behar Trophy and also led East Zone in Vizzy Trophy, wasn’t picked for Bihar’s Ranji squad. “Faisal has inspired and mentored his brothers,” his father said.
“Shakib is a batting allrounder — he bowls pace — while my third brother Afan is a spin bowler who is handy with the bat,” Faisal, 27, said.
Bihar, having opted to bat first, declared at 686/5 after Sakibul brought up a 538-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Babul Kumar, who also scored a double century. Mizoram were 40/3 in reply.
“Hum chaua-chakka naa bujhat rahni, lekin beta log ke kheley se khushi hokhey la (I didn’t understand fours and sixes but my sons playing well has brought me happiness),” Asma said.
She now watches IPL matches and knows more than sixes and fours of the game. “We grew up playing cricket at the Gandhi Maidan. We prepared pitches by shaving off the grass till Jitendra Rana (an IPS officer who was posted as SP here about 8-9 years ago) got us a cemented pitch,” Faisal recalled.
“If given proper facilities, Motihari has at least 10 players who can shine,” District Cricket Association secretary Gyaneshwar Gautam said.