With Bangladesh’s bowling taking the eye in Tuesday’s win over New Zealand, the crucial contribution of a young batsman has not been given the credit it deserves. With Bangladesh reeling at 25/3, Naeem Islam, who was making his return to the national side after almost a year, stopped the rot and put on 154 runs with captain Mushfiqur Rahim in a performance that changed the game. In all, he scored 84 – his highest score in ODI cricket – and it could not have come at a better time for his side.
Naeem only made it into the final eleven after Shakib Al Hasan was ruled out at the last minute. “I was informed the night before the game that I would play as Shakib was unable to play,” he said.
Explaining how he handled the pressure, the 26-year old said, “To be honest, my mind is always blank before going out to bat. You can’t plan from outside, I just wanted to play my own game.”
He did however, feel the heat and did not score a run from his first 16 balls. “I was getting frustrated and feeling uncomfortable in the middle. Getting back into the side and having that happen, it was frustrating.” He credited Mushfiq for keeping him calm through that period. “Mushfiq helped me a lot when I was not getting runs. He told me that I don’t need to worry as the runs were coming easily at the other end. He told me to wait for the bad ball which came as a relief,” he said.
Once set, Naeem cut loose and brought up his fourth fifty in 75 balls. After Mushfiq fell for a 98-ball 90, Naeem went on to add 51 with Mahmudullah. His 84 was the highest score in the match but Naeem claimed he never thought about reaching a hundred.
“I was never looking for my hundred, it was more important to score runs quickly for the team. I always try to play for my team and according to the demands of the situation,” he revealed.
