In this file photo taken on February 20, 2019 Bangladesh’s Mehedi Hasan reacts during their third one-day international against New Zealand at University Oval in Dunedin. — AFP photo
Bangladesh all-rounder Mehedi Hasan on Sunday told reporters that he would be happy to play the supporting role in the bowling department in his team’s forthcoming World Cup mission, starting from May 30 in England and Wales.
‘Of course the main responsibility of the spinners would be to support the pacers,’ Mehedi told reporters at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
‘I think that it would be important for the spinners to contain runs as they won’t find much assistance there. Even if we don’t get any wickets we have to bowl economically.
‘I think conceding five or five-and-a-half runs per over would be a good bowling figure. If I can pick one or two wickets alongside it would be even better. The main role of the spinners would be assisting the pacers and concede less runs,’ he added.
Mehedi had an ordinary outing with the ball in New Zealand, where he managed to pick only two wickets in the three-match one-day international series.
The 22-year-old has an impressive bowling average of 22.00 at home in six ODI matches but his average takes a hit when Bangladesh play away from home, with 40.90 in 11 away ODIs and 55.00 in eight matches in neutral venues.
Mehedi claimed to be working on his weak points from the New Zealand series and hoped that the similarity in English and Kiwi conditions would help him in the World Cup.
‘England and New Zealand conditions are quite similar. I figured out which aspects of my game I needed to improve from the New Zealand series. Now, I want to make use of it at home,’ he said.
The pace-friendly pitches in England could potentially put Bangladesh’s lower-order batsmen to the test, if the side losses wickets in clusters at the top of the order.
Mehedi, who made 26, 16 and 37 respectively in the three ODIs of the preceding New Zealand series, claimed to be working on his batting to play small but crucial innings late down the order for Bangladesh in England.
‘I believe that in difficult situations 20-30 runs can be very crucial … The team expects me to add 20-30-40 runs to the scoreboard or form a partnership late down the order.
‘That’s what I’m working on, how to score 20-30 runs late down the order. At that time all the good bowlers bowl, the field sets are different. I’m practicing these things, so I can adjust to them there,’ he added.
Source: New Age.