2024-08-27 14:25:32
Published: 16:56, 27 August 2024 Updated: 17:02, 27 August 2024
Nazmul Abedin Fahim said only two words about Mehdi Hasan Miraj, ‘Extraordinary.’ Mirage’s performance in the Rawalpindi Test was such that BCB’s newly appointed board director could not help but praise him. He got the most important 4 wickets with the ball in the second innings. He played an important innings of 77 runs in the last innings to increase the team’s lead in the first innings. Miraj showed an all-round performance.
26 Peruno Mirage Bat-Ball This performance was consistent from the start. Now he is contributing regularly as a very important player of the team. After Shakib Al Hasan, he was considered as the alternative all-rounder to Shakib. Nazmul thinks that Miraj Din is reciprocating that faith, ‘He is developing as an all-rounder. That is very important for us.’
Mirage’s position in the long batting lineup is number eight. His place is assured on spin-friendly wickets at home. But many times Mirage is not an automatic choice considering the conditions and wickets on foreign soil. The team combination changes when additional pacers are played. But the team management has always trusted him considering the tall batting lineup. Mirage survives in the XI because he can do offspin very well. A similar situation developed in Rawalpindi. Pakistan announced to field four pacers 48 hours ago. Bangladesh have lined up the XI with three pacers and two spinners.
Believing that there is something in the wicket, the team management took Miraj along with Shakib. Which actually came in handy. He has performed in parallel in both the bowling and batting departments. While mentioning the need for Mirage’s batting innings, Nazmul brought up the point, ‘When the opponent thinks that after 6 wickets, the rest can be taken like that, seven (actually eight) Mirage comes. Then it may be assumed that these wickets may be taken in the next 2-3 overs. But that’s when it doesn’t go and that’s where huge contributions come in. But that is discouraging for the opponent. We have always seen Mirage quality batsmen. I don’t think I’ve seen the best of him yet.’
Mirage has got a big turn in offspin. Collected the bounce from the wicket. Nazmul felt Mirage was successful because of intelligent bowling, ‘There was some help in the wicket for the offspinner. There was a bit of a patch on offspin when the right-hander was batting. He used that. Brilliant.’
Mirage, who got 169 wickets in 44 Tests, is very sharp in bowling. Contributing 1547 runs at an average of 21.78 in batting. His canvas is huge now. Only the all-rounder’s cotton will spread on that canvas.
Yasin/Aminul