The Bangladesh cricket team found themselves in a challenging situation, where a loss to Afghanistan could have jeopardized their progress, even if they didn’t secure a significant victory margin.
Amidst this tense moment, Mehedi Hasan Miraj took on the role of an opening batsman—a daring move by Shakib Al Hasan’s team, employing a lower-order batter at the top of the order. Fortunately, this risky strategy paid dividends as Bangladesh convincingly defeated Afghanistan in the Super Four.
Bangladesh’s upcoming test awaits them at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday, where they will face Pakistan in their inaugural Super Four match. Pakistan boasts a formidable pace attack, arguably stronger than Afghanistan’s, which raises doubts about Miraj’s ability to confront some of the season’s premier fast bowlers.
Miraj, displaying confidence, declared, “I’m always prepared to face any bowler.” His impressive innings of 112 runs against Afghanistan in a must-win match played a pivotal role in Bangladesh achieving their highest total in the Asia Cup. Captain Shakib may contemplate employing him as an opener against Pakistan, where he will have to contend with bowlers of the caliber of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah.
Challenging Shaheen Afridi with the new ball poses a formidable task for any batsman, but Miraj remains undaunted, stating, “I’m unfazed by any bowler. My objective is to perform admirably in the middle order. Nevertheless, if the team decides otherwise, I’m open to batting at the top.”
Bangladesh’s place in the Super Four is secure, and if Sri Lanka and India also progress, Bangladesh will engage in two matches against them in Colombo. A lighthearted rivalry between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, known as the “Nagin Dance,” originated in the Nidahas Trophy. Miraj acknowledges this friendly rivalry with a smile, affirming, “Absolutely. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka share a friendly rivalry over it, and it all began in the Nidahas Trophy.”