Mehidy Hasan Miraz has demonstrated remarkable resilience following his removal as Bangladesh’s ODI captain. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had reassigned the role to Litton Kumar Das, citing concerns that the leadership burden was hindering Mehidy’s individual performance. Despite the potential psychological impact of losing a position he was expected to hold until the next World Cup, Mehidy has remained focused, evidenced by a century in the warm-up match and his pivotal contributions in the current Test.
Addressing the transition, Mehidy noted that he is maintaining a clear mindset. “I think it can happen and my mind set up is clear at this moment,” he stated, adding, “I know how to bowl the right area and how to get batting.”
The Test match appeared to be slipping away from the tourists on the second day when Australia claimed the wickets of centurion Tanzid Hasan, Litton Kumar Das, and Mushfiqur Rahim in quick succession. While skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto had provided a strong foundation with his 84, the momentum shifted back to the hosts following the introduction of the second new ball. Mehidy, however, spearheaded a recovery alongside Hasan Mahmud, extending his efforts into the third day.
Resuming at 351-6, Bangladesh lost Hasan early, and Taijul Islam contributed 17 off 23 balls before being caught by Cameron Green off Josh Hazlewood. Mehidy remained steadfast, securing his 10th Test half-century off 117 balls. By the time he was dismissed for 65 off 154 balls, he had batted for over 90 minutes on the second day and 124 minutes on the third, providing crucial stability.
Mehidy’s tactical approach involved empowering his partners, including Hasan and Taskin, to handle the Australian attack. He formed two 46-run partnerships, contributing 32 runs with Hasan and 30 with Taskin. “Everyone is playing very good cricket and everyone is taking responsibility for each other,” Mehidy remarked, acknowledging the difficulty of batting with the tail after Mushfiqur’s departure.
His impact extended to the bowling crease, where he dismissed Steven Smith for 44. Smith, who had scored 71 in the first innings, chipped a delivery back to Mehidy, who completed a sharp return catch. Mehidy explained that his strategy against the star batter was to restrict scoring opportunities through disciplined line and length variations.
“I knew I cannot be giving him too many scoring options. I know he is a very good player and he is doing very well but if we are not giving many runs we can take his wicket,” Mehidy said. He emphasized that his bowling plan remains simple: maintaining pressure and preventing easy runs.
While speculation grows regarding a potential innings victory, Mehidy remains cautious, noting that the pitch remains favorable for batting. “We are not really thinking like that,” he said, emphasizing the need to work hard for every wicket. “The wicket is getting better as the day goes on, so I think we are trying to take small steps without thinking about too many targets.”
With two days remaining in the contest, Mehidy stressed the importance of securing the final three wickets. The team’s primary objective remains preventing runs and maintaining the discipline that has kept them in a position to potentially secure a historic win on Australian soil.
When Australia picked up three wickets in quick succession on Day 2, including the prized scalps of centurion Tanzid Hasan, Litton Kumar Das and Mushfiqur Rahim, it looked like the tourists were not far away from surrend
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto’s brilliant 84 had laid the platform, along with Tanzid, for a formidable total, but it all looked to be vanishing quickly after the hosts started proceedings with the second new ball.
Mehidy, however, came up with a rescue act on Day 2 alongside Hasan Mahmud and continued to do so in the first session of the third day.
It could certainly be a psychological blow for the all-rounder, given that he had been given the mandate to lead the side until the next World Cup.
When asked whether he came to Australia with a point to prove after being removed as ODI captain, Mehidy decided to choose his words carefully.
When Australia picked up three wickets in quick succession on Day 2, including the prized scalps of centurion Tanzid Hasan, Litton Kumar Das and Mushfiqur Rahim, it looked like the tourists were not far away from surrendering.
Mehidy did not get enough time to stitch a partnership with Mushfiqur, but what he came up with alongside the tailenders not only put the tourists in the driving seat but also helped them eye a historic Test win against Australia in their own backyard.
Mehidy, who scored 65 runs from 154 balls, dug deep against the Australian attack as on the second day, batting for more than one and half hours while facing 73 balls.
On the third day, while on the third he batted for exactly 124 minutes during which he faced 83 balls to tire out the opposition.
He stitched two valuable 46-run partnerships, with Hasan and Taskin respectively, and guided the lower-order batters meticulously.
What seemed to have worked for Mehidy was that he did not take all the pressure upon himself while batting.
Rather, he gave his partners the confidence and importance to believe that they could handle the Australian attack, and they repaid his faith, if not anything else.
They (lower-order batters) batted very well and actually it was a bit tough for me to bat.
Because when I came out, Mushfiqur bhai was out.
