Mehidy Hasan Unfazed by Missed Century, Focused on Team's Success
The 26-year-old has also shown impressive growth this year, attributing his consistency to focused training with the Bangladesh Tigers program, which kept him match-fit and confident despite limited game time in the lead-up to the South Africa series. His recent form reflects this, as he scored well in Pakistan and showcased his potential despite a challenging tour against India.
Bangladesh's all-rounder Mehidy Hasan, who has emerged as a critical asset to the team in 2024, narrowly missed scoring a century against South Africa, getting dismissed on 97. Despite the disappointment, Mehidy, who has been Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer with 461 runs at an average of 46.10 and the top wicket-taker this year, remains focused on team objectives rather than personal milestones. His contribution came amid a tough Test where he stood as Bangladesh's most crucial player in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan.
With Shakib unavailable due to security concerns, Bangladesh's skipper Najmul Hossain emphasized Mehidy's role as a key player for the team. However, Mehidy isn’t comfortable being seen as a direct replacement for the star all-rounder, reminding that Shakib has achieved legendary status in Bangladesh cricket. "Shakib bhai has his place, and I have mine," Mehidy said, adding that comparisons may not be fair, given their different positions in the batting order.
The 26-year-old has also shown impressive growth this year, attributing his consistency to focused training with the Bangladesh Tigers program, which kept him match-fit and confident despite limited game time in the lead-up to the South Africa series. His recent form reflects this, as he scored well in Pakistan and showcased his potential despite a challenging tour against India.
Reflecting on Bangladesh’s batting performance, Mehidy noted that the team struggled due to inadequate runs in the first innings, which hampered their progress. “If there are runs on the board, it’s much harder for the bowlers. Our bowlers bowled consistently well under pressure, especially Taijul bhai. But in Test cricket, the first innings is very important,” he said, underlining the need for three to four players to produce significant scores to build a strong foundation.
As Bangladesh prepares for the next match, Mehidy remains a vital player, with his balanced focus on team goals and individual progress key to navigating future challenges.
