Bangladesh’s lack of power-hitting, particularly in T20I format, has been a point of discussion in the circuit for a long time now. Members of the Bangladesh Cricket Board [BCB] and of the national team addressed the matter on various occasions but it is still to find a solution.
Prominent member of Bangladesh T20I fold Sheikh Mahedi Hasan has been the latest member to speak on the issue and to some extent admitted the inability of the Bangladesh batters. The right-arm spinner cum batter Mahedi while speaking to the media at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday said the Bangladesh batters cannot turn themselves akin to big name hitters like Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard even if they want to.
“We as Bangladeshis are not power hitters by nature. We cannot turn into Russell or Keiron Pollard even if we want to. We have to work and improve on the ability that we have,” said Mahedi who emphasized the need of a power-hitting coach in the Bangladesh national team.
“We do need a power hitting coach but with the skills you have the coach may be able to push your 10 percent forward. It can never be turned to 100 percent. We are by born like this [not powerful]. I do not think it is possible for us to change overnight,” said Mahedi who is well known for his ability to hit the ball well.
The 27-year-old Mahedi, who is scheduled to take flight with other members of the national team to Zimbabwe on early Wednesday, also spoke on the latest burning issue in Bangladesh cricket fraternity –trying out a young team in T20I format.
BCB on Friday last decided to play a relatively young team in the three-match T20I series against hosts Zimbabwe and rested captain Mahmudullah and wicket-keeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim.
Though BCB stated that the national team management has come to the decision to try and test a young team against lower ranked opposition and for this series only, it is widely established that the board is mulling to not involve seniors like Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur at all going forward in the shortest format of the game.
Mahedi emphasised the need of the young members of the team to act responsible. The allrounder thinks the opportunity is big for the young group to learn the craft of making decisions and display their ability.
“We will have to take our own responsibility given we do not have Shakib, Tamim, Mahmudullah or Mushfiqur bhai. They were the guardians of the team but now without them we will have to act responsible,” said Mahedi.
“There will be a time when we will not have any of them at all in the team [they will retire]. They had come as juniors in the team once. Shakib bhai led the team at the age of 22[24] in 2011 Cricket World Cup. they have reached this far [in career] playing and gaining the experience. This young team will take time to learn and learn the leadership,” he added.
Bangladesh ODI and T20I team for the tour of Zimbabwe has started leaving Dhaka in batches. The last batch, involving mostly the ODI players in shape of Tamim, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur are scheduled to leave on July 29.
The series will start with the three T20Is to be played on July 30, 31 and August 2 and will be followed by the ODIs on August 5, 7 and 10 respectively. All the matches will be held at Harare Sports Club.
