Dhaka Platoon all-rounder Mahedi Hasan has said his maiden T20 half-century, against Cumilla Warriors Monday, was driven by confidence from the fact that his wicket “was not valuable” for his side’s batting line-up.
Right-handed batsman Mahedi was sent to bat at number three to disturb Cumilla Warriors off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. The decision proved to be worthwhile as the batsman contributed an explosive 29-ball 59, including two boundaries and seven over-boundaries, to help Platoon successfully chase the 161-run target.
“They have Mujeeb and he is difficult to play. My wicket was not valuable; they must not have counted me as a batsman. I was sent to handle Mujeeb. I got to bat against the off-spinner, I took chances and got success,” Mahedi told the media at Chittagong’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium Monday.
#Mahedi inspires #Platoon victory over #Warriors https://t.co/49eM64xXaY
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 23, 2019
In first-class cricket, Mahedi has five centuries and 11 half-centuries in 58 innings. In List A, the right-handed batsman has a single hundred and three fifties in 53 innings. However, in the BBPL T20, he had an image as an attacking off-spin option and lower-order batsman. The 25-year-old made his international debut in a T20I at home against Sri Lanka In February 2018, following an impressive season in the BPL.
“I have always batted this way in first-class cricket and other domestic tournaments. But the BPL is a bit different, as I do not get as many chances [to bat]. I am never able to bat at one position. Sometimes I am sent to bat at 10, sometimes at nine, and that becomes tough for me as the best bowlers are bowling at that time, with yorkers and bouncers, etc. I think I play better against the new ball and make use of the powerplay. The coach [Mohammad Salauddin] had that plan,” Mahedi explained.
Sloppy #umpiring creates controversy in #BBPL https://t.co/RQvxAop8Y4
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 23, 2019
As Mahadi had assumed the role of aggressor against Cumilla, established opener Tamim Iqbal took a conservative approach. Making a comeback after recovering from a high fever, Tamim added a low-key 34 off 40 deliveries.
“The plan with Tamim bhai was that I would take chances and he would rotate the strike. It becomes tough when both batsmen try to attack the ball. I got the balls in my zone, for which Tamim could keep clam in the middle. He wanted to bat till the end [of the chase], as the runs were coming. We had one over where I think we scored 28 runs. That over made the difference for us,” Mahedi added.
