The management of the Bangladeshi team is relieved to
see that their new opening duo of Litton Kumar Das and Tanzid Tamim, as well as
their improvised backup opener Mehedy Hasan, are racking up runs in the warm-up
games.
Since Tamim Iqbal was left off of the 15-person World
Cup roster, Litton’s opening partner and backup opener became a key talking
point for the Bangladesh team.
There were widespread rumours that Mohammad Naim and
Anamul Haque would be selected for the 15-person roster, either as the starting
opener or as a backup.
Given that their opening duo in the previous 10 ODIs
averaged 20.4 points, the think tank was undoubtedly worried about the opening
position. So it seemed to have done them the world of good when Litton and
Tanzid set up a century stand in the practise game against Sri Lanka.
Litton’s aptitude was never in question, but there
have been questions regarding Tanzid’s ability to demonstrate that he belongs
at the highest level. Since many believed he would struggle to manage the
strain at this level, many cricket experts questioned the timing of his
selection. Tanzid, though, has risen to the occasion, scoring 84 and 45 runs
against Sri Lanka and England, respectively, in the warm-ups.
“I saw him closely in the Emerging Cup and knew
what kind of player he is. So it really didn’t surprise me to see him play
those shots. Rather what was important for me was that he got some runs under
his belt in the practice game as that would make him confident going into the
main event,” Habibul Bashar, Bangladesh selection panel member, told.
“I think this comparison is unnecessary between
them because they are different individuals and have different skill sets. We
should rather focus on giving him (Tanzid) to be his own in the middle as that
is the most important thing. If we always keep comparing him with Tamim
(Iqbal), it is bound to affect the young mind,” he said.
“I think it is relieving to see (Mehedy scoring
runs against England),” said Habibul.
“I think it is better not to go into any issue
with Miraj (Mehidy) because you might feel that he won’t be able to play
against a team with such a pack attack but he will surprise you because he is a
fighter and a genuine fighter,” he said, adding that he has the X factor
that is required to score runs.
“I think no one should have any doubt whether he
will be able to do it or not. It is because at the international level, at
times more than skill and technique, what is required is the fact how good a
player you are.
“Certainly skill and technique are required but
in cricket, if you want to succeed you need something more than that and Miraj
has that,” he added.