ZCZC
BSP-15
CRICKET-NAYEEM-BD-TEST
Putting the ball in right areas key to Nayeem’s success
DHAKA, Feb 22, 2020 (BSS) – In what was dubbed as completely batting friendly wicket, Nayeem Hasan’s extraordinary effort eventually kept Bangladesh in a position of dominance as they reduced Zimbabwe to 228-6 at the end of the day one of the solitary Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
The off-spinner, who finished the day with 4-68 attributed the success to his ability to put the ball in right areas.
But more than his four-wicket haul, what caught the attention was his tireless operation as he delivered 32 overs in a row. No Bangladeshi bowlers bowled such many overs at stretch as it needed huge concentration, patience and fitness.
Nayeem said his habit to bowl in long spell in the National Cricket League (NCL) helped him to do this long spell in a day, where bowlers had little to do.
“I had a habit to bowl in long spell in the National Cricket League (NCL). If you keep your patience, bowl in long spell and put the ball in right areas, the success obviously will come,” Nayeem said after the match.
“Whatever the wicket is, my target was to land the ball in right areas and I always tried to do in this long spell. In fact I didn’t do anything exceptional apart from putting the ball in right areas.”
Nayeem believes his performance in the NCL in which he took 21 wickets helped him to bowl with upbeat mood.
“I have bowled enormous number of overs in NCL and claimed 21 wickets. I have been in match and it helped me do well in this Test,” he remarked.
Nayeem who bowled 32 overs at a stretch in his first spell in between 11th over to 75th over, claimed three wickets to help Bangladesh hit back after Zimbabwe found a strong base thanks to a 111-run partnership between Prince Masvaure and stand-in captain Craig Ervine. He later came back in his second spell to get the prized scalp of Craig Ervine who struck well-composed 107.
He was basically given long spell, considering that other strike bowler Taijul Islam couldn’t get his line and length right. But Nayeem said Taijul was bowling well at the other end, which made the task easier for him.
“The wicket was not turning. It was batting friendly wicket but Taijul was bowling well at the other end. That’s why I got wickets. If I bowl well tomorrow, Taijul obviously will get wicket,” he said.
However Nayeem put Ervine’s wicket as the best amongst his four-wicket haul, considering that the Zimbabwe captain’s dismissal put them in commanding position.
‘We needed his wicket and we wanted his wicket on day one. That’s why his dismissal gave me the most satisfaction,” he said.
BSS/SMP/MMA/2010hrs