Mehidy Hasan Set to Fill Shakib's Role for Bangladesh

As Bangladesh gears up for a pivotal two-match Test series against South Africa, captain Najmul Hossain has expressed the necessity for Mehidy Hasan to step up and fill the significant gap left by the absence of ace all-rounder Shakib al Hasan. Shakib’s departure from the squad poses a challenge for the team, and while acknowledging the difficulty of replacing a player of Shakib's caliber, Najmul is optimistic about Mehidy’s capabilities.

Mehidy’s Recent Performance

In the 12 Tests Mehidy has played since 2022, he has made notable contributions with both bat and ball, scoring 600 runs at an average of 35.29 and taking 48 wickets with an impressive economy rate of 3.25 and an average of 28.08. Najmul emphasized Mehidy’s recent performances as a solid foundation for stepping into a more prominent role: “He is bowling and batting superbly. There are more responsibilities, which Miraz is prepared for. He has improved his batting. He is taking the team to good positions,” Najmul stated.

Navigating Transition and New Challenges

Acknowledging the difficulty of replacing Shakib, Najmul noted, “It is hard to match him, especially for the captain. I don't think wickets will change. We have to think about the extra batter or bowler. The No. 7 becomes a crucial spot. We don't have anyone exactly like Shakib bhai, but Miraz can be a very good option.” He pointed out that the team is in a transitional phase and it will take time to find the right combination moving forward.

Additionally, Najmul addressed the emotional aspect of Shakib's absence, particularly with the unfortunate timing that prevented him from playing his farewell Test. “We had plans to send off one of the world's best players. All of us personally feel that it remains pending,” he reflected, emphasizing the need to shift focus back to cricket.

Adapting to a New Coaching Philosophy

Another challenge for Najmul is adapting to the new coaching philosophy under Phil Simmons, who has recently taken the reins after the tenure of Chandika Hathurusingha. “A lot of things have changed in the last five days. The new coach isn't planning too much. He is trying to understand everything,” Najmul noted. Despite the adjustment period, he expressed confidence in his players' understanding of their roles and the team’s overall strategy.

Najmul mentioned that the focus is on looking ahead rather than dwelling on past experiences, whether good or bad, under the previous coach. “We have to look forward; we can't look back. It's important how we play the coming Test,” he added.

Aiming for Historic Victory Against South Africa

Bangladesh has yet to secure a win against South Africa in Test matches, and Najmul views this series as a significant opportunity. He believes that playing at home could give Bangladesh an edge, especially against a relatively inexperienced South African side. “We haven't won against South Africa before, so this is a great opportunity given our team and the fact that we are playing at home,” he said.

With the spinners expected to play a crucial role at the Mirpur venue, Najmul emphasized the importance of sticking to their processes to secure 20 wickets. “Spinners usually have a strong role in Mirpur. They don’t have to try anything extra. They have to stick to the process, bowl every ball for the team,” he explained.

As the team prepares for this crucial series, the spotlight is on Mehidy Hasan to rise to the occasion and help guide Bangladesh through this transitional phase while also aiming for their maiden Test victory against South Africa. The upcoming matches present a chance for the team to showcase their growth and resilience in the absence of one of their key players.