INTERVIEW
My bowling with the new ball needs sharpening, admits Mahedi © Getty
Bangladesh all-rounder Shak Mahedi Hasan believes his bowling is not restricted to specific types of wickets and that he’s always working to adapt and evolve as a cricketer.
After sitting out the first two games of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, Mahedi made a strong return in the decider in Colombo, playing a key role in Bangladesh’s eight-wicket win that sealed their historic maiden T20I series triumph on Sri Lankan soil. The 29-year-old picked up four wickets in the match, showcasing his ability to deliver on the big stage.
Mahedi then featured in all three matches of the subsequent home series against Pakistan, finishing with three wickets for 98 runs across 11 overs.
Following the series win in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh captain Litton Das said that Mahedi had always been in his plans for the Colombo fixture, implying the off-spinner’s suitability to certain conditions. Mahedi, however, sees it differently.
“If you look at my performances on foreign soil, I haven’t fared too badly. I don’t feel I’m suited only to certain wickets,” Mahedi tells Cricbuzz.
When he isn’t part of the playing XI, he says tries to make the most of his time in the dressing room by observing how others handle pressure situations.
“When I’m out of the series, I focus on preparing myself. From close quarters, you can observe how different cricketers respond to different situations and reflect on what your own plans would be in similar scenarios. So, it’s not like I’m sitting idle – I’m learning from the game and how it shifts at various junctures,” he said.
“You know as well as I do why I was dropped,” he added. “I have nothing to say about it. At the end of the day, it’s about what Bangladesh cricket needs to succeed, and the players who fit that purpose will play. Every time I’ve failed to meet expectations, I’ve been dropped and I’ve made comebacks through performance. So, getting dropped and making comebacks is nothing new to me.”
Mahedi admitted that his bowling with the new ball isn’t as potent as it once was, largely because he didn’t bowl much with the new ball during the Dhaka Premier League.
“My bowling with the new ball needs sharpening. It’s not as vicious as it used to be. But I’ve had to adjust, and I’m happy that I managed to do it,” he said. “I’m not concerned about being labelled the best new-ball bowler. My only focus is on improving every day. I enjoy bowling in the powerplay, and because I’ve been doing it regularly, I feel experienced enough to handle the challenge.”
On the batting front, Mahedi said he’s trying to prepare better for his role in the lower-middle order, especially if he’s to bat at No. 6 in T20Is.
“It’s important for me to contribute with the bat – even more so now because we’ve been collapsing quite often. Sometimes I’m having to go in early. In T20s, I’m usually prepared to bat for five overs when the ball is softer, but when I go in earlier, I need some time to adjust to a relatively new ball,” he explained.
“In the nets, it’s usually the top-order batters who face the new ball. But I feel I need to train against the new ball as well, especially against our top pacers who move it around or test you with their pace. I’m not saying I need to bat during their sessions, but when it’s our turn, we should at least get two overs against quality pace. That way, when I’m promoted up the order, I can get into my zone more quickly,” he added.
Mahedi also stressed the need for Bangladesh to prepare on better-quality wickets, especially with global events like the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup coming up.
“It’s crucial to prepare on good wickets. In ICC or global events, the pitches are better and any small mistake gets punished. From a batting perspective, if the wicket isn’t great, you’re forced to either block or go for big hits. On a good pitch, you can work the ones and twos – and that’s very important for any team,” he said.
“As for the Mirpur surface, we know what to expect – unpredictable bounce at times. But we could also train in Chattogram or Sylhet or somewhere else where the wickets are better,” he concluded.
© Cricbuzz
