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Mehidy eyes to be Tigers ‘X factor’ during WC
DHAKA, March 31, 2019 (BSS)- While he is yet to cement his place as genuine all-round like Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy showed his batting skill quite sometimes alongside his crafty spin to give an indication that he could be the X factor of the team during the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Historically Bangladesh were vulnerable in scoring quick runs during the death overs, which caused their defeats in many matches from a good position. Mehidy hopes to be the solution of that recurring problem.
Skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza used him as opener during the final of the Asia Cup to spring a surprise but Mehidy paid it off with a well-composed 32 runs and more importantly he gave Litons Das support in sharing a 120-run partnership for the opening stand.
Unfortunately Bangladesh middle orders failed capitalize on the incredible start after suffering a sensational middle order collapse that paved the platform of their frustrating three-wicket defeat to India.
Mehidy however knows that Mashrafe will not take the gamble everyday by using him opener and at the same time, he has clear idea that as a batsman of the lower down the batting order he won’t get much opportunity to play the big innings.
Therefore Mehidy eyes to play a good cameo, to play a vital role in team’s cause, something which could be used as an X factor.
“20-30 runs are always important during the tougher period,” Mehidy said here today. “I have been working on that because I know that I can’t get the opportunity to play big knock. I know the team hopes a cameo like 20-30-40 runs from me. The team wants me to share a good partnership towards the end. So I have been working on how I can get a quick 20-30 runs in the death overs.”
Mehidy also knows that his aspiration to get that quick runs would be tougher in World Cup since the best bowlers of every team bowl during the death overs.
“The team’s best bowlers bowl in the death overs and the field set-up remain different. I have been working on how I can deal with the best bowlers during the death overs and find the gap to send the ball across the rope. When I played in New Zealand I got the idea how tougher it could be to thrive in the death overs against world class bowlers. The New Zealand and England condition is almost same. So I could sort out of the areas in which I need to work on.”
Mehidy took the ongoing Dhaka Premier League (DPL) as the platform on working on those areas. Upon return to country after surviving from Christchurch terrorist attack, Mehidy got married and therefore missed some matches of DPL. He said DPL will be the platform to keep them in match practice and it would be helpful for the tri-series in Ireland and World Cup.
“In the gap of DPL, I have to work on the fitness. There are some bowling drills and batting practice in net. What I would practice, I would try to utilize it during the match in DPL,” he revealed.
BSS/SMP/AU/16:05 hrs