The opportunity came as there were not a few regulars. Nurul Hasan Sohan used it perfectly. He didn’t do anything too big though. But what he did, he got a place in the captain’s heart. Captain Tamim Iqbal thinks that Sohan has settled down in Bangladesh’s ODI team.
Experienced Mushfiqur Rahim did not go to the West Indies tour due to Hajj. Shakib Al Hasan did not play in the ODI series due to leave. In the last series, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, who did well in the middle order, could not play due to injury.
Their absence becomes an opportunity for others. Sohan, who performed exceptionally well in the last Dhaka Premier League, got a chance to play in all three matches.
After the series in Guyana, captain Tamim Iqbal spoke to the media separately about Sohan.
“We didn’t get three of the top five batsmen in the batting line-up. For others it was a great opportunity. I think they have matched themselves very well. Especially Sohan, whenever he got the chance, he played cool and slow. As shown today, he batted very well.”
Where Sohan batted in the run chase, he didn’t have a chance to make a big score. However, he fully met the demands of the party and the situation and got a chance to bat in two innings and returned unbeaten in both.
When he went to the wicket in the first match, the team was in danger, although there was little fear of defeat. But Mahmudullah won the team by scoring 20 runs unbeaten.
When Sohan went to the wicket in the last match on Saturday, Bangladesh lost 5 wickets for 116 runs and the defeat was eye-catching. Sohan did not find Mahmudullah a companion until the end. However, he returned with the victory of the team by scoring 32 runs off 38 balls.
After playing 5 innings in ODI career, Sohan’s average is 82.50 and strike rate 94.82!
He also has great keeping. He made two extraordinary stumpings in Saturday’s match.
Talking about the significant gains from the series, however, the captain also talked about Sohan and Nasum Ahmed.
He said, “The way Nasum bowled and the way Sohan batted… these two (achieved). Miraj is always doing well for us. But those two were from another level.”
Nasum’s ODI debut with this series. The left-arm spinner has taken 5 wickets in three matches. Incredibly he gave only 2.67 runs per over!
When talking about the performers, the name of Taijul Islam stood out in the captain’s voice. He got the chance to play the first match on the last day of the tour even though he was a part of the team from the beginning of the tour. Seizing the opportunity, the left-arm spinner became man of the match with 5 wickets for 28 runs.
Captain Tamim highlighted Taijul’s offer.
“Taijul’s name must also be mentioned. He was with the team throughout the tour and did not get a chance to play a match. He was at every practice session. When he finally got the chance to play today, he matched himself. There is so much to gain.”
Along with the achievements, there are also some disadvantages. Afif Hasan did not bat well in the ODI series. Mosaddek Hossain bowled well but could not finish the work in batting in the last match.
Tamim here again brings up the example of Sohan.
“I would certainly have been happy if Mosaddek or Afif had finished the game. But I said earlier in the press conference, there is no Shakib-Mushfiqur in this series. If they return, two people will have to leave here.”
“If you look at Sohan’s example, he is almost paving the way. In the future, if he has to miss a game due to others, he will be the first to wait. When such an opportunity comes, it should be utilized as much as possible.”
It is not always possible to give equal opportunities to everyone, Tamim also informed this.
“I am sure; they (Afif-Mossadeq) tried their best. But always say one thing, some cricketers may get 5-6 chances, some will get 2. Maybe not everyone can be given equal opportunity. He should take advantage of the 2 opportunities he gets.”